Russian Language Exported: ASTRAKHAN
The name of a Russian city that has come to be used worldwide as a term for luxurious fur.
‘Astrakhan’ (English: ‘astrakhan’, German: ‘Astrachan’, French: ‘astrakan’) – is not only a Russian city, but also the international name for ‘karakul’ sheep fur (both natural and imitation). In past centuries, supplies to Europe passed through Astrakhan. The Russian word ‘karakul’ itself comes from the name of the place Kara-Kul (modern-day Uzbekistan), where the breed of sheep with black, curly wool was developed.
