KARAK, or GARAK, the Icarus of Arrian, is an island ,n the a astern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is about se yen miles long, and four broad, or, according to Captain Goodfellow, it contains twelve or thirteen square miles. At the north-east end is a bay, where there is a good an chorage, and which is commanded by a strong castle, built upon the extreme point. The island was uninhabited till the year 1760, when it was surveyed by a Dutch gentle man, who reported his observations to the government at Batavia. He was immediately sent back, with several ships laden with articles necessary for building the castle and the town, and with a great quantity of European and Indian goods. Flaying completed their establishment, they carried on an active trade for six or seven years. A Per sian prince, who lived at Bandareek, took possession of the island, and built several vessels, with which he carried on the trade of a pirate for sonic time. The Persians, how
ever, succeeded in getting the island into their hands. The inhabitants, who, when the Dutch possessed the island, amounted to about 2000 or 3000, amount at present only to 300 or 400. They live by gardening and fishing, and ma nufacture a small quantity of cloth for their own use. The greater part of the island is very rocky; but the eastern side, which is lower than the rest, is capable of cultivation. It is well supplied with water from wells. Sir John Mal colm proposed to our government, in 1808, to take posses sion of the island, in order to get a complete command of the commerce of the Gulf of Persia. It is situated in East Long. 50° 10', and North Lat. 29° IV. See Milburn's Ori ental Commerce, vol. i. p. 127 ; and Macdonald Kinneir's Geographical Memoir of the Persian Empire, p. 18, 468.