JBO'C's Historical Reference

The khanate of Talish, being situated between 38° 31' and 39° 31' N. lat., is the most southern possession of Russia. On the north it borders on the steppe of Moghan, which makes part of Shirvan ; on the east, on the. Caspian Sen; and on the south and west it is enclosed by the Persian dominions. This province is entirely mountainous, with the exception of one great plain, which runs between the mountains and the sea, and contains about 3000 square versts. Its soil, with few exceptions, is a black loam capable of producing the most luxuriant vegetation. This richness of the soil, combined with a hot climate and abundance of water, renders it practicable to cultivate various tropical products on the plain of Talish; and many persons who have examined the country consider that the sugar-cane, cotton of the finest quality, indigo, and the orange-tree, &c., would succeed perfectly ; while the slopes of the mountains are very favourable to the cultivation of the vine, as well as the almond, olive, and other trees which require a dry soil. At present the state of agriculture is very low, and the greatest part of the grounds are'Bnly used as pastures.

The climate, which is now rather unhealthy on account of the great number of marshy grounds, may be improved by draining these swamps, which contain an extraordinary quantity of snakes and other venomous reptiles. It is a great advantage to the khanate of Talish that it is situated along the sea-coast, which offers great facilities to its commerce. It has two ports, or rather roadsteads: Lenkoran, which is so shallow ihat vessels can never approach the coast nearer than one mile, and are frequently obliged to anchor oven at a greater distance ; and Sara, which is (he best port in the Caspian Sea. Sara is situated on the north-western side of a little island of the same name, and is about 2 1/2 English miles from the shore. Vessels drawing 14 feet water can come within 150 fathoms of the coast. It is the usual station of the Russian war flotilla.

The population of the khanate of Talish is of the same description as that of the province of Shirvan, and all that we have said respecting it is applicable to the inhabitants ot Talish. The amount of the population seems not to have been exactly ascertained. There arc some few wandering tribes, who live in a very wild state, and are much addicted to predatory habits. The industry of Talish is in a very low state, and limited to the production of some silk, rice, honey, &c. The manufactures supply a few silk and cotton stuffs. The chief and only town of the province is Lenkoran, in 38° 43' N. lat. and 48° 54' E. long. It is a wretched place, with about 500 houses.
Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge
By Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain)
Published by C. Knight, 1838