Ghilau'

Ghilau', a province of Persia, the western portion of the narrow strip of country lying between the Elburz range and the Caspian Sea, is separated from Russian Caucasus on the north-west by the river Astara. Area, 4251 sq. m. Owing to the lowness of the land, the province is subject to frequent inundations, and during great part of the year is little better than a swamp. There are dense forests, chiefly of oaks, maples, ashes, limes, &c., and a tropical luxuriance of vegetation. Extensive plantations of fruit and mulberry trees are grown, these last for the production of silk. The soil is extremely fertile, bearing barley, wheat, fruits, and great quantities of rice. Animal life is abundant. The fisheries in the Caspian are very productive. The population, estimated at 150,000 to 250,000, are principally of Iranian descent, mingled with Kurdish and Turkic immigrants, and nearly all are Shiite Mohammedans. The climate is moist, changeable, and unhealthy. Storms are very violent.