Pskov.

Pskov. a decayed town of European Russia, 9 miles SE. of Lake Pskov (50 miles long by 13 broad), by rail 188 miles NE. of Riga and 160 SSW. of St Petersburg. Like Novgorod it was celebrated for its republican institutions after the 12th century. During the 14th and 15th centuries it was one of the Hanse towns, and had then a population three times as large as at present. In 1510 it was annexed to Moscow. During the wars with Lithuania Pskov was a stronghold of great importance. It contains a cathedral and numerous venerable churches and monasteries. Fish, obtained from the lake, and flax are the principal articles of commerce. Pop. 21,684.—The government has an area of 17,069 sq. m. and a pop. (1885) of 948,071; (1891) 1,029,053.