THE PERSIAN GULF.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1028, 5 May 1857, Page 3

THE PERSIAN GULF.

That great sheet of water, the Persian Gulf, appears < likely soon to be the scene of important events from ' the war now commencing in Cabul and Persia. It is %_% _ about 500 miles long and 63 wide, and receives two of •, the largest rivers of Asia, the Tigris and Euphrates. The English have carefully surveyed these two rivers, . and have established steam navigation in the latter ; • they, moreover, seem disposed, by means of a railway, . to employ the Euphrates in reaching their Eastern pos- - sessions. The navigation of the Persian Gulf is diffi- • cult, and requires an intimate acquaintance with its • hydrography. From the beginning of October to the ' end of July, north-west winds predominate ; south-west winds, which generally prevail during the rest ofthe J year, are favourable for entering the gulf, but they most- • |ly bring bad weather. The coasts of the gulf, which " aie not very high, are formed of calcareous rocks, and' are full of reefs ; the bottom of the gulf is covered with » coral of a greenish tint, and from this circumstance : some geographers have named the gulf the Green Sea. The bottom undergoes great variation according, to the -' wind, and on that account vessels are frequently in ' much danger. The strait of Ormuz, by which the gulf >_ is entered, contains several islands. The principal of ' them bears the name of Ormuz, belonging to the Imaum > of Muscat, who is a vassal to Persia. This island con- - tains a town and a port, which are not far from the coast of the Fars. The finest pearls known were formerly found there, and constituted an important branch ' of trade ; but at present the island has lost its ancient <• celebrity. If the English expedition should take place, . Ormuz will probably be one of its strategical points ; : for, in an offensive and defensive treaty, just concluded ' between the English government and the Imaum of c Muscat, the former leserves to itself the privilege of ■■ occupying the island. The Persian Gulf washes th«*-* coast of Faristan, one of the most beautiful provinces of I" Persia, which contains the two best ports of the empire^ - The first, Aboucheho, or Bender Bouchir, can only be-/ entered by vessels of small draught ; it is a commercial I town, and the English have an establishment there ' which prospers. The second is Bender Ryk, and po»sesses a good territory. The other parts of the gulf < form the couth of the province of Larisfan. Here are • several maritime places, and amongst them Bender Abassi, better known under the name of Goumroun, a • town built on a hill which descends gently to the sea ; . this town contains a mixed population oi Persians, , Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, and Bedouins. The English > had an establishment in it, but they have of late years transferred it to the Isle of Kharak ; they hare ot late years transferred it to the Isle of Kharak ; they have • also an important depot of merchandise at Bussorah. In addition to Bender Abassi, there are on the «arne - coast Bender -Kcengoun , Ziraf, and Baanan, which places formerly carried on a very extensive trade. The ■ group of islands which terminates at OrmuJß begins at & Kharak on the coast of Laristan, and comprises Kaii, , Laft, Basido, Andjar, Larek, Zalimah, and Keichme. The latter is the largest of all, and it produces a pecu- - liar sort of grape highly esteemed in Persia, and * great number of sheep and oxen ; it contains a population of about 15,000 souls, who occupy three towns, the largert f of which, called Keichme, is constructed of stone, and surrounded with a fortified wall, which protects it from attacks of pirates. All these islands are surrounded i with coral reefs, which render the access to them very dangeio I. The English have < g^ablishmentain almost all the>e islan s. The coasts of the Persian Gulf are occupied by independent Arabs obeying a chief; .they, live by trading in cattle, pearls', and fish. Although nominally under the domination of Persia, th>y are really hostile to her, and are absolute masters of the » country. The town of Shiraz, which is also in Fkristan t , ami which is remarkable for its beauty and its ancient"; splendour, is the native place of Saadi and 'Hafix,. thetwo greatest poets of PpTsia. The English hfcve numeft • ous and important establishments there.. .