KUCHAN

kuchan, the capital of the district, has suffered much from the effects of earthquakes, notably in 1875, 1894 and 1895. the last earthquake laid the whole town in ruins and caused considerable loss of life. about 8000 of the survivors removed to a site 71⁄2 m. e. and there built a new town named nasseriyeh after nasr-ud-din shah, but known better as kuchan i jadid, i.e. new kuchan, and about 1000 remained in the ruined city in order to be near their vineyards and gardens. the geographical position of the old town is 37° 8 n., 58° 25 e., elevation 4100 ft. the new town has been regularly laid out with broad streets and spacious bazaars, and, situated as it is half-way between meshed and askabad on the cart-road connecting those two places, has much trade. its population is estimated at 10,000. there are telegraph and post offices.