TRANSCAS'PIA. A Russian territory in Western Asia, bounded by the Territory of Ural on the north, Khiva and Bokhara on the east, Afghanistan and Persia on the south, and the Caspian Sea on the west (Map: Asia. Central, G 2). Area. estimated at from 214.000 to 220.000 square miles. In its general features the region resembles Turkestan. of which it may be con sidered a western continuation. The larger part of the north consists of elevated table lands with some mountains in the peninsula of Manghishlak in the northwest, and a deep depression near the Kbivan frontier in the east. The central part is lower and is practically a desert with shifting sands and dried-up river courses. The southern part is traversed by a mountain chain which separates the sandy deserts of Turkestan from the highlands of Northern Persia, and from its structure and direction appears to be a continua tion of the Caucasus system. This region is watered by the Atrek, which flows along the southern boundary to the Caspian and by the Tejend and the Murghab. The whole region is scantily watered. irrigation is practiced. The
coast is indented by a number of deep inlets, of which that of Kara Bugas is noted for its ex treme salinity. The climate is hot and dry, and the precipitation extremely meagre. The region contains rich mineral deposits, of which salt, naphtha, ozocerite, and gypsum are mined to some extent. Agriculture is developing in the southern part, which is more favorably situated with regard to irrigation. The principal prod ucts are wheat, sorghum, rice, and barley. Cot ton is also successfully cultivated. The natives have extensive herds of sheep and other stock, and export skins and wool. A number of house hold industries, such as rug-weaving and the production of various articles of felt. are more o• less developed. The chief medium of transporta tion is the Transcaspian Railway, which traverses the southern part of the territory. Population, in 1897, 372,193. of whom the Turcomans con stituted about two-thirds. Capital, Askhabad (q.v.).