AFCH*NISTAN
broad,’ fertile valley among the mountains of North-West Afghanistan,
gradually dwindles away. "The fertility of this valley, which is noted
for its wheat, grapes, and horses, has tempted frequent invasion, espe-
clally as the chief town in it—Herat-—lies at a natural focus of routes
from Meshed, Kandahar, and Merv, and not far from the railway running
to the last. "The place is therefore strongly fortified. It manufactures
silk goods and carpets.
The Koh-i-Baba is a detached portion of the Hindu Kush, separated
by the Bamian Pass from the main lofty range that leads on to the
Pamirs. This pass once formed an important commercial route between
the plain of Western Turkistan and India, but is now httle used. The
route is continued eastward along the valley of the Kabul, on which river
stands Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and by the Khaibar Pass
to Peshawar (see p. 94).
The Eastern Ranges consist of the Sulaiman and the Hala Moun-
tains, which run south of the Khaibar Pass to the coast. Between
them is a valley which, with the Bolan Pass, forms a route from India
to Quetta, and is now followed by a railway. Quetta lies in the British
province of Baluchistan, and is a highly fortified military station.
THE HEART OF THE PLATEAU.
This is everywhere arid, but its surface is diversified by depressions,
of which the two largest and most northern are the Great Salt Desert
and the Seistan lowland. "The Salt Desert is composed partly of
sandy soil strongly impregnated with salt, partly of blocks of solid. salt,
and partly of swamps. The region is practically uninhabited.
The Seistan depression is traversed by the Helmand and other
rivers, which terminate in shallow pools and reedy marshes. The soil
is sandy, but, with irrigation, cultivation is possible, and cereals and fruits
are grown to perfection around Kandahar. "This town is enclosed by
a high mud wall, and is chiefly important from its central position between
Herat, Kabul, and Quetta.
Throughout the plateau of Iran transport depends mainly on camel
caravans, and the volume of trade is relatively small. "The chief exports
of Persia in order of value are: Fruits, fish, opium, carpets, silk and silk
cocoons, rice, hides, raw wool and woollens, and raw cotton and cottons
