KIAO-CHAU, kyli'4-ehou'. or KIAO-CHOW. A walled city on the south coast of the peninsula of Shan-tuner, China. near the head of a large bay of the same name. and since 1898 the centre of a German protectorate of about 200 square miles (Map: China. F 4). It was formerly a very important centre of trade, but. owing to the silting up of the bay, and the opening of Chi-fu on the north coast of the province. business has fallen off. The city is not large. but the suburbs, which are surrounded by wails. are extensive. The port of Ki-to-elian was Taputu. 13 miles from the sea, and about six miles from the city, on a small creek which at ebb tide became dry. The surrounding country (with the exception of Lao shan) is fiat, and along the shore somewhat marshy. The hay of litau-chau measures about 15 miles each way, and receives five small streams which carry into the bay touch sediment during the rainy season (•uly and August). The best harbor on the coast is that of Tsing-tao(or Ching tao ). at the extreme end of the peninsula of Lao shan which forms one side of the bay. The vil lagers were bought out by the German Gin- eminent, and the port of Tsing-tao made the foreign settlement and the capital of the German ZI.111.. Fine wide streets have been made, electric lighting, a telephone system, •ater-works. etc.. have been installed, commodious houses, offices, hotels. and workshops erected. and a railway con structed to the native city, and thence to the city of 1Vei-hien. 10 to 20 miles south of which are several coal-mines. The maximum temperature is about 90° F., and the minimum 12°. Lao shan is rich in minerals.
On November 14, 1897, Kiao-chau was seized by a German fleet as a result of the murder of two German missionaries, and in the negotiations Which followed a lease for ninety-nine years was obtained. including the zone already mentioned,
and later valuable railway and mining conces were granted in this and the adjoining country. In 1598 it was declared a German protectorate. and Tsing-tao a free port. and by an agreement with the Chinese Government the eus tom-house is managed by the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs. In 1900 the imports amount ed to $114,190. and the exports to $23.243.
The administration of the colony is to some ex tent autonomous. At its head is a naval ollieer with the title of Governor, who is 'assisted by a council composed of heads of departments and three elected members. The expenses in 1901 amounted to 82.029.900. rf which the imperial Government contributed $2.558.500. The garri son numbers 2350 men.
KIBLAH, 1:1,11i. or KEBLAH (Ar.
that which is opposite. from kabala, to conte from the south). The direction of the Kaaba (q.v.). in :Mecca. toward which :Mohammedans face when in prayer. It is indicated in a mosque by- a niche in the wall called the ini/jrab. At the outset of his career :Mohammed is said to have turned toward the Kaaba when praying; though this is contrary to Sing ii. 110: east and the west is God's: therefore. whichever way ye turn is the face of God." After his flight to Medina, the Prophet changed the direction of prayer to ward dents:dem in the hope of attracting the Jews. On January 10. 624. recognizing the futility of this hope. he changed the kiblah back again to the Kaaba. justifying this momentous change by a special revelation (Suva ii. 130-145). Consult Sprenger. firs Leben end die Lehre des Nolla nimed , vol. iii. (Berlin. I869).