BALK, or Balkh, a province of Great Bukharia in Asia, about 360 miles long and 250 broad, situated to the south of the province of Samarkand, and to the east of Bukharia Proper. It is the least of the three provinces that make up what is called Great Bukharia; but being extremely fertile and well cultivated, the prince draws a great revenue from it. The country particularly abounds with silk, of which the inhabitants make pretty manufactures. The Uzbecks subject to the khan of Balkh are the most civilized of all the Tartars inhabiting Great Bukharia, owing probably to their commerce with the Persians: they are likewise, more industrious, and more honest, than the rest; but in other respects have the same customs with the rest of the Tartars. The province is subdivided into several counties; the most remarkable of which are Khotlan or Katlan, Tokharestan, and Badaghan. Its chief cities are Balk, Fariyab, Talkhan, Badaghan, and Andarab.