The northern frontier of Irak is formed by a lofty range of mountains, which terminates at the Caspian Strait ; and an extensive valley, about twenty miles in breadth, ex tends as far as the city of Casbin. Here the climate is delightful, and the country is populous and well cultivated. About 70 miles to the north-west of Casbin, is Sultanea, where the king encamps during the summer months ; once a splendid city, but now a heap of ruins, inhabited only by a few poor families, who live in wretched hovels, in the vicinity of the tomb of Sultan Khodahbundah, which is a large and beautiful structure, built of brick, and co vered with a cupola ninety feet in height. The large and populous town of Zinjan lies about twenty miles farther to the north-west, and from thence to the river Kizil ozen, which forms the boundary between Irak and Ader bijan, the country is very uneven, and full of deep ra vines. The districts between this river and the cities of Hamadan and Kermanshah, is called by oriental writers AZ Gebal, (the mountainous.) The western part of it is almost uninhabited, though abounding in rich pastures ; but the country between Sultanea and Hamadan is well cultivated, and peopled by the tribes of Giroos and Kara goozoloo ; and the vicinity of the latter city for many miles is covered with productive fields and fruitful or chards, and intersected by innumerable little streams. Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, is situated at the foot of Mount Elwund, the Orontes of ancient geography. It has evidently been at one time an immense city, as a long succession of broken walls and sculptured fragments at test the former existence of extensive and elegant build ings. Since its capture and destruction by Tamerlane, it has been considered only as a secondary city. At present it consists of about 10,000 indifferently built houses, con taining above 40,000 inhabitants ; but being separated by gardens, which are watered by rivulets from the hills, it has a very agreeable appearance. Hamadan is the great mart of commerce between Ispahan and Bagdad ; and nu merous caravans are also constantly passing from the north to the latter city. It is constantly resorted to by merchants of various nations for the purposes of traffic. The principal manufactures of this place are a sort of felt carpet, called nummud, much esteemed among the Per sians, and leather, in which it carries on a considerable trade. Here is the tomb of Mordecai and Esther, and
also of Avicenna. Hamadan is as much celebrated for its climate as Ecbatana was in ancient times, and is said to have been the summer residence of the Persian kings from the time of Darius to that of Chen;;;Itz Khan. A large and fruitful tract of country extends from Hamadan to Ker manshah ; but the districts between Hamadan and Khonsar, a distance of 150 miles, are but indifferently cultivated. To the south-west of Khonsar, is the small district of Feredun, peopled entirely by Georgians and Armenians. The former, amounting neatly to one thousand families, profess the Mahomedan religion, but intermarry only among themselves.
But the richest and most fertile part of Irak is Louris tan, an extensive tract of country stretching along the northern frontier of Kuzistan. It is watered by several considerable rivers, and there is scarcely a valley that is not refreshed by a number of lesser streams. It is peo pled by the martial tribes of Baktyari and Fielhi, who are subject to no law but the will of their chiefs. They lead a wandering life, residing chiefly in tents, and subsisting on the produce of their flocks. Agriculture is conse quently neglected, but the pasture is most luxuriant. The only town in this district is Korumabad, the ancient Corbienna, which stands at the foot of a mountain, and on the banks of a broad and rapid river, across which is thrown a bridge of twenty-eight arches. There is also a fort, built on a conical hill, in the centre of the town, suf ficiently strong for its protection against the power of Persia. Between Korumabad and Hamadan lie the exten sive plains of Khawa and Alister ; and to the north cast are the towns of Hussar, which is large and populous, and the capital of a wealthy district ; of Booroojird, a flourish ing city, containing 12,000 inhabitants ; and of Nahavund, celebrated for a battle which gave Persia to the Saracens.
The only part of KURDISTAN which may be said to be subject to Persia is the province of ?rdelan. The power ful chief of this district, however, condescends to pay tribute to.the Persian monarch, merely for the preserva tion of peace ; for, in every other respect, he is com pletely independent.