SYR-DARIA

(1) Prov., Ru ian Sea of Aral; includes part of the Tianshan range and Karatau chain; traversed by the Syr-Daria; generally infertile; inhabitants mainly Kirghiz; pursuits chiefly pastoral; rich in minerals (turquoise, silver, gypsum, porphyry, copper, lead, coal, salt); cotton mills, tanneries, distilleries, match, soap, and candle factories. Gradually conquered by Ru ians, 1846-67; cap. Tashkend. Area, 194,147 sq. m.; pop. 2,026,000. (2) On Jaxartes, riv., W. Turkestan, Asiatic Ru ia; has its source in Tian-shan Mts.; flows W. and N.W. through Ferghana and Syr-Daria, and enters Sea of Aral by three channels (46° 40’ N., 61° 30’ E.); has a length of c. 325,000