DALMATIA (dal-mashiya), a former province of Austria, with the title of kingdom, the most S. portion of the for mer Austrian dominions. It consists of a long narrow triangular tract of moun tainous country and a number of large islands along the N. E. coast of the Adri atic Sea, and bounded N. by Croatia, and N. E. by Bosnia and Herzegovina. In breadth it is very limited, not exceeding 40 miles in any part; its whole area is 4,940 English square miles. The inland parts of Dalmatia are diversified by un dulatory ground, hills, and high moun tains; but though there are some rich and beautiful valleys, the country on the whole must be considered poor and un productive. The Narenta, the Zermagna, the Kerka, and the Cettina are the prin cipal rivers, all with short courses. On some of these the scenery is singularly wild and picturesque. The interior is oc cupied by a much-neglected population, and agriculture is in a very backward state.
Timber is scarce, and the country does not produce sufficient grain for its own wants. Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, oranges, pomegranates, etc., are among the fruits; the wines are strong, sweet, and full-bodied. On the coast fish, espe cially the tunny and the sardine, abound.
The trade of the country is mostly con fined to the coast towns, where the popu lation is mainly of Italian extraction. Chief of these are Zara (the capital), Se benico, Cattaro, Spalato, and Ragusa. Among the numerous islands sprinkled along the coast many are valuable for their productions, such as timber, wine, oil, cheese, honey, salt, and asphalt. The population is divided between the Italians of the coast towns and the peasants of the interior, Slovenian Slays speaking a dia lect of the Slavonic. The majority are Roman Catholics. After passing succes sively through the hands of Hungarian and Venetian rulers, and of the first Na poleon, Dalmatia finally, in 1814, fell under Austrian rule.
Following the revolution in Austria Hungary in 1918, Dalmatia declared it self independent, and afterward joined the movement which resulted in the for mation of Jugoslavia. Italy, at the Peace Conference, put forth claims for Dalmatia, and its final disposition was not decided until 1920, when, as a result of negotiations in relation to Fiume, Dal matia was awarded to Jugoslavia. Pop. about 650,000. See FIUME, JTJGOSLAVIA.