Euphrates

or El Frat, a celebrated river of Western Asia, in Asiatic Turkey, having a double source in two. streams rising in the Anti-Taurus range. Its total length is about 1,750 miles, and the area of its basin 260,000 square miles. It flows mainly in a SS. H.- course through the great alluvial plains of Babylonia and Chaldea till it falls into the Persian Gulf by several mouths, of which only one in Persian: territory is navigable. About 100 miles from its mouth it is joined by the Tigris, when the united streams take the name of Shatt-el-Arab. It is navigable for about 1,200 miles, but Navigation is somewhat impeded by vapids and shallows.