'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎161] (216/905)

CHAP. VIII.]
LIMITS OF AFGHA'NISTA'N.
161
and is almost a square, extending from 25° to 35° 50' north Boundaries of
latitude, and from 58° 10' to 72° 30' east longitude. It has AfgMlli8tin -
the elevated range of the Hindu Kush, with its continuation,
the Paropamisus, to the north, the Indian Ocean on the
south, Panj-ab and Sinde to the east, and the Persian pro
vinces of Khorasan and Kirman on the west. The extreme
length, from the northern slopes of the Paropamisus to the
coast of Mekran, is about 640 miles, and its width, from the
river Indus to the deserts of Khorasan and Siwistan, 550
miles. It therefore contains about 327,853 square miles, 1 and
its superficies is consequently more than twice as great as that
of France. 2
Within these limits are several extensive provinces, which its features,
contain numerous lofty plains and elevated valleys, lying be
tween and along mountain ranges, which, by intersecting the
territory in almost every direction, cause a variety of soil and
a diversity of climate. The great distinctive feature of this
part of Asia, the stupendous Himalaya, appears to be the root
of the Afghan mountains, which are more immediately de
rived from one of its principal arms.
The range of Bulut Tagh, or the Cloudy Mountains, forms The Buiut
the natural division between Western Turkistan and the^ agh "
Eastern, or Chinese Turkistan; since it gives rise to the
different great rivers which water both countries. The
Jaxartes and Oxus descend from the western side; the Darija,
the Chaidu, and other streams, flow from the opposite side;
whilst the Hydaspes and Indus spring from its southern slopes
a little lower down; and all take their departure before the
range joins the elevated peaks of Hindu Kush, at a point
which is nearly north of Kabul. From thence this range
(the Paropamisus) has a westerly direction, and forms the
north-western boundary of the Afghan territory, as far as
the country beyond Herat. It occupies about two degrees of
latitude, but with a diminished elevation, when compared with
that of the still more stupendous Hindu Kush. 3
1 Nearly 36,428 square geographical leagues.
2 France contains 154,000 square miles.—Balbi, Abrege de Geographic,
p. 594. Paris, Jules Resnouard, 1833. 8 Elphinstone's Kdbul, pp. 86, 87.
VOL. I. Y