KURDISTAN, or KOORDISTAN, an extensive tract of country in Western Asia, belonging partly to Persia and partly to Turkey, and comprising a large part of the high table-land which stretches southwards from Armenia to the basin of the Tigris. The name signifies the "Land of the Kurds or Koords;" and as that people have spread on all sides from the original cradle of their race, the name is often loosely applied to a greater extent of country than is strictly correct. Kurdistan proper lies between N. Lat. 34. and 39., and E. Long. 42. and 47°. Its area may be computed at between 40,000 and 50,000 square miles. The northern and southern portions of Kurdistan present completely distinct geographical features. The first is almost wholly occupied by mountain ranges running nearly parallel from N.W. to S.E. The Soli chain stretching from
Kurdistan. the city of Jezireh, near the Tigris, right across the country to the Persian frontier. It is low at first, not rising higher than 1000 feet. In the middle of its course, where it takes the name of El Khair, it reaches the height of 3000 feet, and continues to rise till it reaches the confines of Persia. Between this ridge and the Armenian frontier is the lofty plateau of Ali-Bagh, varying from 4000 to 7000 feet in height, and intersected at rare intervals with valleys. During the scorching heats of summer the shepherds drive their flocks from the low grounds to this table-land, which affords a scanty pasturage. Between the El Khair Mountains and the Persian boundary the mountains rise higher, and the valleys, though still very narrow, become deeper. Some of the peaks attain a great height; the highest, Jawar-Tagh, is said to be nearly 13,000 feet above the sea. The southern portion of Khurdistan possesses large tracts of low and level lands. Three ranges of low hills diversify the surface, but only on the side of Persia can it be considered mountainous. These ranges are Kara-Tagh on the N.E.; Ali Tagh in the centre; and the Hamrin Hills on the S.W. The principal rivers in Khurdistan are the Zab-Ala or Great Zab, the Zab-Asfal or Lesser Zab, and the Diyalah. The first of these, rising in the Ali-Bagh, drains a great part of Northern Khurdistan, and, flowing past the Kara-Tagh, falls into the Tigris, a little way below Mosul. The Zab-Asfal rises on the borders of Southern Khurdistan and Persia, and, flowing in a course nearly parallel with the Great Zab, joins the Tigris about 50 miles further down. The Diyalah falls into the Tigris about 30 miles above Baghdad.
The climate of Khurdistan ranges between the extremes of heat and cold. In summer the heat is intense, especially in the S. In winter, the cold in Northern Khurdistan is quite unendurable. On many of the mountain-tops snow remains for six months of the year. The plains produce in abundance the ordinary cereals and vegetables of Europe; and the finest fruits grow in profusion in the orchards. Melons, cucumbers, and other gourds, in especial attain an immense size. In the low grounds near the Tigris, tobacco, cotton, rice, and millet are raised in large quantities, chiefly for exportation. The sides of the lower mountains are covered with forests of oak, walnut, and other hardwood trees. Immense quantities of gall-nuts are gathered, and form a valuable article of commerce. Another important article is the manna found in large quantities on the leaves of the dwarf oak, tamarisk, and other shrubs. Bears, wild boars, goats, and deer abound in the forests, but birds, except partridges and quails, are scarce. Bees are numerous, and their honey is eagerly sought after for purposes of trade. Of domestic animals the horse is the most valuable. It is used solely for riding, and is in great request for the Turkish and Persian cavalry. The ox is the chief beast of burden, a very few camels only being used. The sheep are very numerous, and their fleeces yield wool of very fine quality. Minerals are scarce. Some iron and sulphur are found in Northern Khurdistan, and there are numerous salt-springs in the S. Naphtha and petroleum are also abundant. Korkuk in Northern Khurdistan is the chief centre of commerce, which is carried on mainly with Baghdad and Persia by means of caravans.
The Kurds were known to the ancients under the name of Carduchi. (See CARDUCHI.) They were originally subject to the Persians; but after the era of Alexander were incorporated with Syria. In the third century B.C. they were dissevered from that kingdom by the Parthians, and, on the destruction of the new Persian kingdom, passed to the caliphate of Baghdad. In 1258 Khurdistan was conquered by the Moguls, and, 130 years later, by the Tartars, under Tamerlane. In the beginning of the sixth century Khurdistan once more became subject to Persia. They continued faithful to their new masters for about a century, but
being oppressed by them, revolted and attached themselves to the Turkish sultans. At the present day about three-fourths of the country are subject to the Porte, and are comprised within the eyalets of Baghdad, Mosul, and Van. The remaining fourth belongs to Persia, and forms the province of Khurdistan, of which the capital is Kermanshah. The number of Kurds in Khurdistan and the adjoining countries is estimated at from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000. Most of them are Mohammedans; but a good many Nestorian Christians are found among them.