SPREEWALD  , a

district of Germany, in the Prussian province of Brandenburg, a marshy depression of the middle Spree valley, extending to some 1o6 sq. m., its length being 27 m, and its width varying from 1 to 7 M . It owes its marshy character to the river Spree, which above Lubben splits into a network of over two hundred arms, and in seasons of flood generally overflows considerable portions of the region . In the parts which are especially liable to inundation, as, for example, the villages of Lehde, Leipe and Burg, many of the homesteads are built each on a little self-contained island, approachable in summer only by boat, and in winter over the ice . In spite of its marshy character the Spreewald is in part cultivated, in part converted into pasturage, and almost everywhere, but more especially in the lower districts, wooded like a park, the predominant trees being willows . Fishing, cattle-breeding and the growing of vegetables, more particularly small pickling cucumbers, are the chief occupations of the people, about 30,000 in all . In great part they are of Wendish blood, and though the majority have been Germanized, there is a small residue who have faithfully preserved their national speech, customs, and their own peculiar styles of dress .