KHORASSAN, or the Country of the Sun, is an ex tensive province of Persia, bounded on the north•east and east by the Oxus and the country of Bulkh ; on the south by Cabul and Seistan ; and on the west by Irak, Astera bad, and Dahestan. The northern and eastern parts are said to be a level country, intersected with sandy deserts. and irregular ridges of lofty mountains. The climate is in some parts temperate, and in others cold. The wind called Bad-e-semum, which blows for forty days every year in the deserts, is instantly fatal to those who are exposed to it. The soil, which is in general good, produces wine, fruit, corn, rice, and silk, in great quantities, and of the best quality ; but, in consequence of the incursions of savage tribes, its princely cities have been demolished, its commerce ruined, and its fertile districts converted into solitary wastes. The cities of Meshed, Nishapour, Tur shish, and Tabas, with their dependencies, belong to Persia ; but the southern parts, including the city of Herat, are in the possession of the Afghans.
The different ridges of mountains appear to be connect ed with each other, and with the Hindoo Koh, and the range of Elburz. The mountains of Bamian and Goor, which separate Khorassan from Cahill, send out an im mense branch to the south•west, as far as 34° of North Latitude, and 65° 20' of East Longitude. Turning sud denly to the north-west, it cuts the latitude of 88°, and the longitude of 60°, and joins the mountains of Meshed. In passing from Seistan to Herat, and thence to Yezd, Capt. Christie fotind that the country was mountainous, diversi fied with tolerably cultivated plains. Some of the moun
tains were very lofty ; and at Okul, half way between Fer rah and Herat, an immense range was seen to the east.
The Oxus, which is the chief river in the province, rises in the mountains of Pameer, and is said to form a junction with the Jaxartes, before it throws itself into the Caspian. The Oxus is described as navigable for more than 200 miles,in which distance there arc many Terries, with from 8 to 10 boats each. The cultivated lands extend only about three or Four miles From the river. The Tedzen, or the ancient Ochus, is next in size to the Oxus. It seems to have its origin near Seraks, and, after receiving many tributary streams, and particularly the Meshed river, it falls into the Caspian in North Lat. 38° 41'. Herat, or Harirood, (anciently the Aries.) rises a little to the north of Herat, and running southerly, is lost in the sands be tween that city and the lake of Zerrah. The Murgab, anciently the Margus, issues from the mountains of Goor, and is also said to be swallowed up in the sands near Herat. The Ester, anciently Sidcrius, which is navigable for a short distance, is a considerable river, atod gives its name to the province of Asterabad, where it flows into the Caspian.
The capital of the Persian division of Khorassan is Meshed ; and Herat is the capital of the Afghan part of it. See HERAT and NIEsuEo; and Macdonald Iii,meir's Geog. Mem. of the Persian Empire, for a fuller account of the province