Herat

(he'rat,) a fortified city, C. of an indep. state in Afghanistan, in a plain near the Herirood river, 360 m. W.by N. of Cabul; N. Lat. 34° 50', E. Lon. 62° 30'. This city is one of high political importance, since it is the converging point of all the principal roads leading into India from the N.W. It is also a great commercial ent repôt of the trade carried on between India, China, the countries on the Persian Gulf, and those of Central Asia. Pop. Unascertained. [s. 451]