"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد IV .١٩١٧" [ظ‎‎٤‎٠] (٥٣٠/٨٥)

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76
LAND ROUTES
Miles from
Raniyeh.
149i
1531
1591
16<U
162-|
1631
Pass Fort Murad c Ali.
Cross somewhat large stream, Qasidagh, pass numerous
villages and cross many water-cuts, keeping hill-spurs
2 m. to 1. and passing through well-cultivated country
with numerous gardens.
Pass through Gok Tepeh valley.
Spurs approach the road from the 1.
About here cross dry, gravelly bed of the Shehr Chai, with
bridge a little lower down.
The Urmia plain is intersected by irrigation canals, lined
with shady fruit trees. Castor oil plant is largely grown
for fuel ; wheat, maize, vegetables and fruits are plentiful
and tobacco flourishes. Big buffalo-carts are largely used
in the country, and strings of laden donkeys are to be
met with near Urmia. The last mile of the road is very
muddy in wet weather.
Urmia.
EOUTE 60 b
EANIYEH—EL-WATAN (86 m.)
Via See Desht
Authority ; — Routes in Persia, vol. ii. Route 107, Alternative (A.) (report of 1902).
Miles from
Raniyeh.
o
481
50|
Raniyeh. See vol. iii. Route 41, for first 48^ m.
Ser Desht.
Besides the route described below, there is said to be a path over
the mountains along the r. bank of the Lesser Zab, which leads
in 8 hrs. from Ser Desht to El-Watan.
Leaving Ser Desht go N. through the village and across the
plateau. Across the valley to the 1. (NW.) is Sheo
Ibrahima, about 1^ m. distant. Descend by a lane
10 to 12 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep in mud to the ravine
running down on the W. side of the Ser Desht terraces.
Cross the stream in this valley (alt. 4,825 ft.), and ascend
along the opposite side to 5,000 ft.; then descend a spur.
Pass a small village of Bairaji Kurds on r. ; alt. 4,600 ft.
Easy descent towards the Zab over a succession of terraces.