Hyrcania

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Hyrcania, formerly a Province of Persia, 600 Miles long, and 300 broad, where Tarabestan, Gilan and Georgian are now, was properly part of the Parthians Country, which had Parthia on the South, Margiana on the East, Media on the West, and the Caspian Sea on the North. The chief Town was, Hyrcania, afterwards Amaruse. The neighbouring Sea has now different names, viz. Bachu Sea, Sala Sea, Tabarestan Sea, &c. Strabo. Pliny. Cluvier. Olearius. This Province is so fruitful, that one Vine is said to produce above 11 Gallons of Wine, and one Fig-tree, 60 Bushels of Figs. Their Corn is bred by a Seed which falls out of the Stalk, and Honey flows out of their Olive-trees. Hoffman. The Hyrcanian, called also the Caspian-Sea, and otherwise according to the Countries, which lie upon it, hath no Communication with any other Sea. Its extent from the Kingdom of Astracan in Muscovy on the North, to Ferabath on the South, is 480 English Miles. Its breadth from the Province of Chuaresm, to the Mountains of Circassia or Shirwar, is 360 English Miles. In the middle, the Waters are Salt, as those of other Seas, but it neither Ebbs nor Flows. It hath no good Harbour upon it, but the best is Minkischlack or Manguslave on the Coast of Tartary the Greater. 'Tis of the same colour with other Seas. Has only one Island on the Persian Coast, and that uninhabited. 'Tis generally shallow, and therefore dangerous in Tempests; on which account, the Persians never venture from sight of Land. On the West side of it from Georgia, it receives there above 100 Rivers, many of them very great. Olearius gives a large Description of this Sea, having sailed all over it, and says, That in 20 days Travel, betwixt Reschal and Schamakap, he crossed above 80 Rivers, which fall into it.