'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎87r] (178/706)

ELB—ENZ
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ELBURZ—
A range of mountains that separate the Caspian basin from the table
land of Persia, and is continued east and west : in the former direction
it unites with the Paropamisan range in north-west Afghanistan, and on
the west it is connected with the Caucasus by the Talish range. 1 e
northern slopes are clothed with dark forests, but the southern are pre
cipitous and mostly bare, a few juniper trees only dotting the rocks here
and there as little black spe iks on their rugged sides. Their course is nearly
parallel to the southern shores of the Caspian sea, into which numerous
small rivers or streams, having their source in these mountain heights, tind
their way. These streams, generally dry for the greater part of the year,
are rapid torrents in the spring, and in many places they are quite untord-
able.
ENZ ALL—
A seaport in the province of Gilan, situated in the south-west corner of
the Caspian. It stands on the westernmost of two long sand-spits, which
separate the Murddb from the sea. On the opposite, or easterly, sand-
spit stands Qazian. . n . , ,.
There are some 300 to 400 houses in EnzalT itself spread out m alon^ line,
where all the business, etc., is carried on, and where all the native population
lives. There is also-an Armenian church. . , ,
It is on the whole a miserable place, consisting of a collection of wood and
reed houses. . ,
Qazian boasts of a small hotel and has 2 customs houses for import and
^History.—In 1805 a Russian force took possession of Enzali and tried to
take Rasht, but being defeated with a loss of 1,000 men they retreated
to Enzali, which they shortly after vacated. i i *
In 1909 and 1911 Enzali was used by the Russians to disembark their
troops for Rasht and Kazvln. In 1911 owing to disturbances mEnzali
the administration of the town was taken over by Russia, and all Persians
were disarmed. . . ,
Resources .—See consular trade report on the Caspian provinces under
Military. —There are small detachments of Persian troops at Enzali and
at Rasht, and a few gunners in charge of guns of an obsolete pattern, used
chiefly for saluting purposes. In 1912 even the saluting guns were con
fiscated by the Russians.
There is a fort in Enzali, but it is of no military value, and only mounts
2 or 3 obsolete muzzle-loading guns.
Harbour .—The bay or lake of Enzali is nothing more than a very large
breakwater formed by the waters of several streams and separated from the
sea by two long sand spits. The entrance between these is from 200 to 300
yards wide, and very difficult owing to a bar. The bar allows boats drawing
8-9 feet to enter. The extent of the bay may be as much as 30 miles by 10,
C300GSB