CHOLON ("great market"), a town of French Indo-China, the largest commercial centre of Cochin China, 34m. S.W. of Saigon, with which it is united by railway, tramways, roads and canal. Cholon was founded by Chinese immigrants about 178o, and is situated on the Chinese arroyo at the junction of the Lo Gom and a canal. Its waterways are frequented by innumerable boats and lined in some places with native dwellings built on piles, in others by quays and houses built by the French, who have also carried out drainage schemes, installed electric lighting in the main streets and erected factories, schools, hospitals and administrative buildings. Its population is almost entirely Asiatic. In 188o the population was 45,000, in 1931 it numbered about 134,060. Of these about 50,00o were Chinese, divided into congregations ac cording to their place of origin. During the rice season the town is visited by a large floating population. Cholon is administered by a municipal council, composed of French, Annamese and Chinese traders. An administrator of native affairs, nominated by the gov ernor, fills the office of mayor. The rice trade, almost monopolized by the Chinese, is the leading industry. Tanning, dyeing, copper founding, glass, brick and pottery manufacture, stone working, timber-sawing and junk building are other industries.