Fars
or FARSISTAN (anciently Persis), a province of Persia, bordering FARS, or FARSISTAN (anciently on the Persian Gulf; rises from the steep coast in a succession of broad tersteep coast in a succession of broad terthe population, the exact number of which is not known, is very sparse. The the population, the exact number of races. Area, about 53,500 square miles; coast zone or "hot country," the productiveness of which is greatly dependductiveness of which is greatly depend- coast zone or "hot country," the pro- "land of the passes," behind which comes the "cold country"; the interior belongs to the Iranian plateau.
The mountain chains, lying parallel to the coast, embrace numerous fertile valleys, rich in pasturage and vines and fruit trees. Among the mountains are sevtrees. Among the mountains are sev- FASCIA are small.
The rivers varies with the different districts. The principal products of the province are fruits, dates, tobacco, cotton, silk, and excellent wine. The capital of Fars is varies with the different districts. The Shiraz, pop. 25,000 to 30,000. The port, Bushire, on the Persian Gulf. lands in the Red Sea, about 35 miles off the W. coast of Yemen. They include the two larger islands of Farsan lands in the Red Sea, about 35 miles FARSAN ISLANDS, a group of isel-Kebir, 25 miles in length. The islands Seghir, 18 miles in length, and Farsanel-Kebir, 25 miles in length. The islands coral fisheries. Dates and other fruit World War Germany maintained a coalare important chiefly for the pearl and ing station on one of these islands. are also grown there. Prior to the