GHILAN, or Gilan, a province of Persia, lying along the S.W. shore of the Caspian, separated from the Russian district of Talish by the Λstara, and bounded W. by Azerbijan, S. by Irak Adjemi, and S.E. by Mazanderan. It is about 150 miles in length, with a breadth varying from 15 to 50 miles; and its area is estimated at from 4500 to 5000 square miles. The greater portion of the province is a lowland region shut in by the mountains of the Elburz range; and though the Kyzyl Usen, which has its sources in the mountains of Kurdistan, is the only river of any size, the country is abundantly watered, and vast stretches of swamp are found in various directions. This is mainly due to the character of the climate, which is distinguished by a very heavy precipitation both in winter and summer. Vegetation is almost tropically luxuriant, and the forests are as dense as an Indian jungle. Oaks, maples, ash trees, planeras, lime trees, and parrottias, are among the prevailing types. The chestnut-leaved oak attains colossal proportions, and a height at times of 130 or 140 feet; and the box tree comes to rare perfection, and forms an important source of wealth. Vines and pomegranates, walnuts, plums, pears, and apples grow wild; and oranges, lemons, peaches, and other fruits are easily cultivated, though sometimes a severe winter proves fatal to the trees. The olive succeeds well in the valley of the Sefudrood, but the oil is extracted in a very primitive manner. Rice is largely cultivated, and forms the principal food of the inhabitants, except in the west, where its place is partially taken by wheat, a cereal indeed to which the Ghilanese farmer is more and more directing his attention. Cotton and sugar are both grown in small quantities, and the character of the climate gives reason ...