Siam

(si'um,) an extensive kingdom of S.E. Asia, in Further India, of which peninsula it occupies the heart, lies bet. N. Lat. 4°-20°, E. Lon. 96-1020, and is b. N.by Laos and the Shan Country, E. by Annam, S. by the Gulfof Siam, and W. by Pegu, Tena erim, and Burmah. Its length is about 1,100 m., and its breadth 350. Estim, area, 250,000 sq. m. The surface is mountainous, and in many parts is covered entirely by swan ips and jungles. Soil fertile, being drained by the river Menam and its tributaries - streams that intersect the centre of the country, and inundate the basin through which they flow during the latter half of each year. Forests of valuable timber yield teak, sandal, rose, and other hard woods, great quantities of which are exported from the ports of Bangkok, Meek long, Paknam, and Paklat. The staple agricultural products include rice, pepper, tobacco, sugar, dourra, coffee, sago, gums, and numerous varieties of fine fruits. The pp. exports, besides timber and metals, are ivory, betel, opium, wax, spices, gums, canes, . Duties are levied upon all products which leave the country. S. is politically divided into 41 pro vs., each governed by a ph aja, or officer of state. C. Bangkok. The monarchy is absolute and hereditary, and there are two kings: of whom the first is the actual reigning sovereign; the second receiving one-third of the revenue, and exercising the administrative functions of chief minister. Buddhism is the dominant form of religion, and the pagodas of S. are the finest of all Indian temples. Within the last few years, the king has raised a small regular army officered by Europe ans; and, in time of war, the entire adult population are liable to be called out for military service. [s. 823] The navy consists of one 8-gun corvette The navy consists of one 8-gun corvette, and 6 gunboats, with others in course of construction. The mercantile marine of the kingdom po e es 88 ve els (3 of which are steamers) of a total tonnage of 38,645. Value of exports in 1870, $7,463,743; imports, $6,704,344. The Siamese, both men and women. go almost naked, having only a piece of calico or silk girded round their OLLIN Fig. 592.- A PAGE TO THE KING OF SIAM. waists; but the better sort wear rich garments (Fig. 592). The men are of an olive color, with little beard; but the women are of a straw complexion. They have been said to excel in the fabrication of gold, in fireworks, and in miniature-painting; but in mechanical ingenuity they are decidedly inferior to the natives of China and Cochin-China. Little of a reliable character is known of the early history of S. The foundation of Ayuthia, its former cap., dates from 1350, and in the 16th cent. its territorial rule extended from the Cambodia River as far S. as the Strait of Malacca. In 1782 the existing dynasty mounted the throne, and in 1855-6, treaties were effected with the U. States, England, and France, which have largely facilitated foreign trade, opened out the resources of the country, and generally been the means of introducing many of the arts and manners of the Western nations among the Siamese people. For the tributary States of Laos, see SHAN COUNTRY. Pop. estim. at 6,300,000. [s. 824] IMG:plate0869.jpg:Gravür