Anam

or Annam, (ăn-nam,) an empire of S.E. Asia, occupying the E. part of Further India, between Lat.10° and 23° N., and Lon. 102° and 109° E.; comprising Cochin-China, Tonquin, and a part of Cambodia; and having N. the Chinese pro vs. Kiang-se and Yun-nan; W. the independent Laos and Siamese territories; and S. and S.E. the China Sea and Gulf of Tonquin. Area, 98,000 sq. m. Surface generally fertile, rising progre ively from the sea to the great mountain chain separating Cochin-China from Cambodia. Tonquin and Cambodia are alluvial plains of great fertility. The whole empire is well watered, and the country in many parts covered with dense forests, or carefully cultivated. The chief rivers are the Men am kong, forming the Siamese boundary, and the Tonquin, Saigon, and Hué. Climato healthy, the heat being tempered by sea-breezes. Inhab. similar in race to the Chinese, with an intermixture of Siamese, Malays, and Moi, or dark negro race. Coasts generally bold, and presenting excellent harbors. Prod. Rice, sugar, drugs, spices, gums, dye woods, ironwood, teak, indigo, bamboos, ivory, silk, copper, iron, the precious metals, pearls, . Chief cities and seats of trade: Huế (the cap.), Tonquin, Saigon, and Fai-foo. The govt. is an hereditary military despotism, and the popular religion is Buddhism. The French, since 1864, have po e ed themselves of a portion of this country, and founded a flourishing settlement at Saigon. Pop. 15,000,000. [s. 29]