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 the city of Jezirch, 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 18,000 feet above the sea.

The southern portion of Kurdistan 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 Kurdistan 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 Kurdistan, and, flowing past the Kara-Tagh, falls into the Tigris, a little way below Mosul. The Zab-Asfal rises on the borders of Southern Kurdistan 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 Kurdistan ranges between the extremes of heat and cold. In summer the heat is intense, especially in the S. In winter, the cold in Northern Kurdistan 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 Kurdistan, and there are numerous salt-springs in the S. Naphtha and petroleum are also abundant. Korkuk in Northern Kurdistan 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 dismembered from that kingdom by the Parthians, and, on the destruction of the new Persian kingdom, passed to the caliphate of Baghdad. In 1258 Kurdistan was conquered by the Moguls, and, 130 years later, by the Tartars, under Tamerlane. In the beginning of the sixth century Kurdistan 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 Kurdistan, of which the capital is Kermanshah. The number of Kurds in Kurdistan 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.

Kurile Islands, a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, extending from the Kamtschatka southward to the larger islands that form the Japanese empire. They are twenty-five in number, and are claimed by Russia, with the exception of the three southernmost, which belong to Japan. They are all of volcanic origin, and contain a number of active volcanoes. The surface is very irregular, some of the elevations rising to the height of nearly 6000 feet. The coasts are abrupt and difficult of access, and the seas are subject to violent and sudden tempests. The climate is severe and foggy. Agriculture is not attended to, except on those islands which belong to Japan. The inhabitants employ themselves in fishing and the chase, the produce of which they dispose of to American, Dutch, Russian, and Japanese traders. Area estimated at about 3000 square miles.

Kurnul, in Hindustan, a British district in the Presidency of Madras, bounded on the N. by the River Kistnah, on the E. and S. by Cuddapah, and on the W. by Bellary, containing an area of 2643 square miles, with a population of 273,190. Towards the close of the year 1838, while the British were planning the expedition for the restoration of Shah Shujah to the throne of Cabul, information reached them that military preparations upon an extensive scale had been carried on for some time by the Nawab of Kurnul. An investigation followed, the result of which left no doubt that the Nawab was one of the originators of a wide-spread Mussulman conspiracy for the subversion of British rule in India; its development merely awaiting a fitting opportunity, which it was anticipated events in the N.W. would afford. Recourse to arms became necessary. No difficulty was experienced in obtaining possession of the capital, but the Nawab, with several of his followers, withdrew from the place. A force was despatched in pursuit, which, after a sharp encounter, succeeded in securing the person of the Nawab, as well as several other prisoners. An immense quantity of warlike stores was found in the town. No satisfactory explanation could be given for the accumulation of so vast a quantity of the material of war, or for the systematic disguise and concealment under which it had taken place; and as the obvious conclusion was, that the Nawab's proceedings were connected with plans for the subversion of the paramount power, it was justly thought that the chief had been guilty of a breach of allegiance, and his territory was annexed to the British dominions. The Nawab was shortly after assassinated by one of his Mohammedan followers.

Kurrachee, in Hindustan, is a sea-port of Sind, situate on the western coast of that country. At the entrance of the harbour is a bar, having one fathom and a quarter of water when the tide is out, and consequently cannot be safely crossed by ships the draught of which exceeds 16 feet. It is stated, however, that from the beginning of September to the end of May vessels of 800 tons can always enter the harbour at high water, while the roads outside the bar are perfectly safe during the same period for vessels of any size. The town is distant 3 miles from the landing-place when the tide is out, but it has been rendered easy of access by the formation of a mole and road. In 1853 the town and suburbs contained a popula-