Mazanderan

Mazanderan, a province of northern Persia, fringing the Caspian Sea for some 200 miles and lying between the provinces of Ghilan and Astrabad, consists of a belt of low marshy coast-land, 10 to 20 miles wide, backed by the well-wooded northern slopes of the Elburz. The climate is very changeable, in summer both rainy and unhealthy, but on the uplands fairly salubrious. Owing to the fertility of the soil, which is watered by numerous small rivers, the Persians call the province the 'Garden of Iran.' Rice, wheat, and other cereals, cotton, mulberry-trees, and a variety of fruits are produced. Horses, asses, and camels are extensively bred. Area of province, 10,400 sq. m.; pop. 300,000. The chief town is Sari, though Barfurush (see BALFRUSH) is the seat of the trade with Russia. Iron ores and mineral oils are very abundant.