a large province of Persia, nearly corresponding to the ancient Media, lies between N. Lat. 31° and 37°, and E. Long. 46° and 53°. It is bounded, N. by the provinces of Azerbaijan, Gililan, and Mazanderan, E. by Khorasan and Yzed, S. by Fars and Khuzistan, and W. by Turkey. It consists of an elevated table-land, traversed by several ranges of barren hills which run from W. to E., inclosing several valleys from 10 to 15 miles in breadth. The soil, which is uncultivated, except in the vicinity of the villages, is good, and readily produces rich cereal crops, and excellent fruits, with tobacco, opium, cotton, saffron, &c. The valleys and plains abound with excellent pasturage. Wool, goats' hair, and silk, form important sources of wealth to the inhabitants. Cotton fabrics, leather, glass, earthenware, with stuffs of gold and silver thread, are the chief manufactures, and along with the natural productions of the province, constitute its principal exports. The chief emporium of trade is Isfahan, once the capital of Persia.