or ARASIA, a province of Asiatic Russia, on the border of the Black Sea, comprehended between Lat. 42. 30. and 44. 45. N. and between Long. 37. 3. and 40. 36. E. The high mountains of the Caucasus on the north and north-east divide it from Circassia; on the south-east it is bounded by Mingrelia; and on the south and west by the Black Sea. The country is generally mountainous, with some deep well-watered valleys, and the climate mild, being Abcheron defended from the northerly winds by the lofty range of mountains. The land is fertile, and produces grain, grapes, and other fruits. Some of the inhabitants devote themselves to agriculture, some to the rearing of cattle and horses, and not a few support themselves by piracy, robbery, and the chase. These people still carry on a considerable slave trade, selling even their children to the Turks for slaves. This country, as bordering on the ancient Colchis, was early known to the ancients; and the Abasci, at least as early as the time of Herodotus (lib. iii. 97.), carried on a considerable slave trade, especially in beautiful boys, whom they sold for eunuchs. In later times this country was subject to Colchis, until subdued by the Emperor Justinian, who introduced civilisation and Christianity. Afterwards the Persians, Georgians, Mongolians, and more recently the Turks, in turn, ruled over the country. Under the Turks Christianity gradually disappeared, and Mahomedanism was introduced in its stead. By the treaty of Akerman in 1826, a part, and by the treaty of Adrianople the rest of this country was ceded to Russia; but except the possession of a few commanding fortresses on the coast, it has very little authority over the people, and the chiefs have almost unlimited power. Mahomedanism is the religion of the higher classes, but the people generally are buried in idolatry.