'Military Report on Persia' [‎28r] (60/134)

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province is occupied by mountain ranges, the continua
tion of the Kurdistan and Luristan systems, the only
exception being a narrow strip of low-lying coast to the
south of Behbehan. The Governor resides at Shiraz.
The nomad population of the province consists of
Turks, Arabs, and a few Lurs. The urban population
is chiefly Persian. The plateaux to the east of Shiraz
contain salt lakes, which receive the streams from the
surrounding mountains.
The principal towns are
Shiraz, the capital, population about 50,000,
situated in a plain completely surrounded by
mountains. It contains many monuments of its
former greatness, and is celebrated for its wines,
which are made from the local grape.
Kazerun .—On the Bushire-Shiraz road. Popula
tion from 3,500 to 4,000. Contains plentiful
supplies of fuel, forage, and good water.
Firuzahad .—On the most easterly of the routes
leading from Bushire to Shiraz. Population
2,000. Considerable quantities of fruit, rice,
and barley are grown in the neighbourhood,
which is very fertile, and large numbers of
donkeys are obtainable.
Behbehan .—On the road leading from Shiraz to
Shuster. Population about 5,000. The plain
of Behbehan is very fertile, but the water supply
is not good.
Bushire.—(See page 42).
The province of Laristan occupies the plateau Laristan.
bordering on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. between Bushire and
Bandar Abbas. It provides winter pastures for the
Kashkai nomads, and produces indigo and various kinds
of gum.
The principal town is Lar, an important road-centre
of about 7,000 inhabitants.
Lingah is the port of Laristan {see page 43).
The province of Yezd is situated on the south-western Yezd.
border of the Dasht-i-Kavir. It is traversed from