KISHIIIA, KISH:41Sn, or more properly Jezira or the Long Islanu, is all Island of i ersia, and the largest in the Persian Gulf. It is the Oaracta of the Greeks. It stretches for about sixty miles pat alio to the Persian coast; but its breadth eu where exceeds twelve miles. The chan nel by which it is separated front the continent is navigable for the largest vessels. It is about eight miles wide at the north point ot the island, and less than three opposite to Olu Lult, from which it is said to wind among several wowed islands, as far as Bassadore, the extreme point ol the island. Kishma formerly contained 300 villages, but not one hall ul these remain. Dates, a-heat, anti bailey, are produced in sufficient quantity for the subsistence of the inhabitants, and it was formerly the granary ol breed cattle and set ep, and are much occupied in fishing. Au independent Arab Sheik, who pays homage to the Imam of Muscat, possesses the island. He resides in the fort of Kishma at the eastern extremity of the island, but is not able to defend his subjects against the incursions of the tribes on the Arabian coast. The town ol Kishma, situated close to the sea opposite the island of Larrek, is surrounded with a wall, and vessels may ride securely in the toads; but there is a bank which is said to extend near ly two miles from a point southward of the town. The principal places in this island are the ports of Luft and Kean on the north-west coast, and Alton at the western ex tremity of the island. On approaching the port of Old
Lult, which stands in North Lat. 26° 55', the title falls about 12 feet, the soundings become irregular, and the bottom rocky. The harbour is however safe. On the south coast is at. excellent harbour formed by the island of Anger. It is so completely surrounded by the two islands, which are ?sly three miles distant from each other, that a ship can anchor close to either shore at all seasons. A line.of-bal tie ship may lie within ha a and small vessels in an hundred at us ul tee shore. The island of Angar is uninhabned ; Out Mr. Macdonald K:eneir observed upon it the ruins of a considerable town, el.' many reservoirs wa ter. It is coveree with pits ol salt and metallic ores, and also a soft rucay substance resembling lava. The hills arc covered with smells of oy sters ant other fish, and abound in mild goats, iebbita, tied pattridges. In 1642, the Dutch endealuttred to take this island ; but they failed in the at tempt, and were obliged to make their peace with the inha bitants by considerable presents. On the west side of the island, there was a nest of pirates, who were destroyed by the English in 1809. The position of Kishma is in East Lung. 56° 8', and North Lat. 26° 57' 30". See Macdonald Geographical Memoir of the Persian Empire, p. 14, 15 ; Oriental Commerce, vol. i. p. 130; and Mu•ier's 7'ravels in Persia, p. 6.
KiSTNAH, or KRIsTNAn. See INDIA.