former was greatly reduced. It now contains 628,000 square miles or
three times the number in France or Germany. It is divided into
thirteen states as follows: Ghilon, Mazandaron, Ostorobad, in the
north; Azerbijon, Persian Kurdistan, Luriston and Khuziston on the
west; Fariston, Loriston, Kerman with Mogiston in the south; Irakeston
the capital state where the king resides being in the center. On the
east lies the large state of Khorason, which is mainly desert.

Persia is dotted with many great and small mountains, interspersed with
fertile valleys, flowing fountains and silvery streams. Dense jungles
abound in the states of Mazandaron and Ghilon.

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS.

The great extent of the country gives rise to an extremely varied
climate. Cyrus said of it: "The people perish with the cold at one
extremity, while they are suffocated with the heat at the other."
Persia may be considered to possess three climates: that of southern
Dashtiston; of the elevated plateau; and of the Caspian provinces.

In Dashtiston the autumnal heats are excessive, those of summer are
more tolerable, while in winter and spring the climate is delightful.
In the plateau the climate of Fariston is temperate. About Isphahon in
the same plateau the winters and summers are equally mild, and the
regularity of the seasons appears remarkable to a stranger. The Caspian
provinces from their general depression below the level of the sea are
exposed to fierce heat during the summer months, though their winters
are mild. Heavy rains are frequent and many of the low districts are
marshy and unhealthy. Except in the Caspian and northwest provinces the
atmosphere of Persia is remarkable above that of all other countries
for its dryness and purity.

The cultivated portions of Persia, where there is a good rainfall or
the land can be irrigated, produce an immense variety of crops. Here is
grown the best wheat in the world. Other characteristic products are
barley, rice, cotton, sugar and tobacco. Vineyards are plentiful. The
vines of Shiroz are celebrated in eastern poetry. Mulberries and silk
are two other famous Persian products, while the finest perfumes are
made from the countless varieties of roses with which the land is
carpeted.

The forests of the Elburz mountains abound with wild animals, such as
wolves, tigers, jackals, wild boars, foxes and the Caspian cat. Deer of
every variety inhabit some of the mountains. Lions and leopards are
al