Novorzhevsky Uyezd (Russian: Новоржевский уезд) was an administrative subdivision (an uyezd) of the Pskov Governorate of the Russian Empire. It was situated in the central part of the governorate, and its administrative centre was the town of Novorzhev.
History
The territory that became Novorzhevsky Uyezd was originally part of the Novgorod Republic, known as Rzheva Pustaya. After the annexation of Novgorod by the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the area was organized as Pustorzhevsky Uyezd in 1533, with its centre in Rzheva Pustaya. In the 18th century, the administrative centre was moved to the pogost of Arsho, which was granted town status and renamed Novorzhev in 1777 during Catherine the Great's municipal reform. At that time, Novorzhevsky Uyezd was created as part of the Pskov Viceroyalty. In 1796, the uyezd was briefly abolished when the viceroyalty was transformed into Pskov Governorate, but it was re-established in 1802. The uyezd existed until August 1, 1927, when it was abolished as part of the Soviet administrative reforms and replaced by Novorzhevsky District.
Geography
The uyezd was located in the central part of Pskov Governorate. It bordered Ostrovsky and Porkhovsky Uyezds to the north, Kholmsky Uyezd to the east, Velikoluksky Uyezd to the southeast, and Opochetsky Uyezd to the southwest. Its area was approximately 3,247.8 square versts (about 3,696 km²). The terrain was mostly flat in the north, with hills in the south and southwest (spurs of the Bezhanitsy Upland). Numerous lakes were present, particularly in the western part of the uyezd. The main rivers included the Sorot (a tributary of the Velikaya) and the Loknya (a tributary of the Lovat). Forests covered about one-third of the territory.
Demographics
According to the Russian Empire Census of 1897, Novorzhevsky Uyezd had a population of 113,769. The linguistic composition was as follows:
- Russian: 97.9%
- Latvian: 0.7%
- Yiddish: 0.4%
- Estonian: 0.4%
- Finnish: 0.2%
- German: 0.1%
- Polish: 0.1%
- Romani: 0.1%
Economy
The economy of the uyezd was predominantly agricultural, with a focus on grain cultivation (rye, oats, barley), flax growing, and livestock farming. Cottage industries included wheel-making, cooperage, leatherworking, and the production of wooden utensils, baskets, harmonicas, and flax-processing machines. In 1894, there were 102 factories and plants in the uyezd, including distilleries, breweries, tanneries, and mills.
Administrative Division
At the end of the 19th century, the uyezd comprised 15 volosts (rural administrative divisions) and 4 zemstvo districts.
