1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Kum

KUM, a small province in Persia, between Teheran on the N. and Kashan on the S. It is divided into seven bulūk (districts): (1) Humeh, with town; (2) Kumrud; (3) Vazkerud; (4) Kinar Rud Khaneh; (5) Kuhistan; (6) Jasb; (7) Ardahal; has a population of 45,000 to 50,000, and pays a yearly revenue of about £8000. The province produces much grain and a fine quality of cotton with a very long staple.

Kum, the capital, in 34° 39′ N. and 50° 55′ E., on the Anarbar river, which rises near Khunsar, has an elevation of 3100 ft. It owes much of its importance to the fact that it contains the tomb of Imam Reza’s sister Fatmeh, who died there A.D. 816, and large numbers of pilgrims visit the city during six or seven months of the year. The fixed population is between 25,000 and 30,000. A carriage road 92 m. in length, constructed in 1890–1893, connects the city with Teheran. It has post and telegraph offices.

See Eastern Persian Irak, R. G. S. suppl. (London, 1896).