ARACAN', or ARRACAN, the most northern division of British Burmah, is bounded on the n. by Chittagong, on the e. by Ava, on the s. by Pegu, and on the w. by the bay of Bengal. It extends in n. lat. from 18° to 21° 33', and in e. long. from 92° 10' to 94° 50'. Its extreme length is 290 m.; and its breadth from 90 m. at the n., gradually diminishes towards the s. , so as to yield an average of little more than 45. The area is 14,526 sq. miles. A range of mountains, nearly parallel with the line of coast, the highest point 7000 ft. above the sea-level, separates A. from Pegu and upper Burmah. The soil of the northern portion of A. is alluvial; but the country is hilly, difficult of access, and covered with forest. The province is divided into four districts—Akyab, Sandoway, Ramree, and North Aracan. The British conquest of the province has been highly beneficial in every way. In 1825-26, the population was only about 100,000; in 1831 it was 173,000, showing an increase of 73 per cent in 5 or 6 years; in 1839 it had increased to 248,000; before 1854 it was upwards of 321,000; and in the returns of 1872, it was stated to be 483,363, or 33 mouths to the sq. miles. With these results the face of the country and the state of trade fully correspond. Rice and salt constitute the
chief articles of exportation; the others are tobacco, sugar, wood, oil, betel nuts, buffalo hides and horns, elephants' teeth, dried fish, and edible birds'-nests. The imports con sist of British woolens, muslins, cutlery, and glass.
There have been various indications of a volcanic nature in A. In the islands of Ramree and Clieduba there exist springs of muddy water which emit bubbles of gas. Two severe earthquakes have taken place respectively in 1763 and 1833, the latter having thrown up, in several places, muddy water of a sulphurous smell, and also, on one par ticular spot, vapor and flame to the height of several hundred feet. Of the mineral resources very little is known. Iron-ore has been found, but not in such quantity and quality as to come into profitable competition with British iron. Coal also exists, which is understood to be good, but, from whatever cause, it has not been extensively worked. i There are no lakes in the province, nor are there any rivers of much importance, though the Aeng, which appears to be the most available among them, is said to be navigable during spring-tides to 45 m. from its mouth.