SIAM, sl-Tn'. An independent kingdom of Southeastern Asia, bounded on the north by Burma and French Indo-China (the Shan States), on the east by French Indo-China, on the south by Cambodia, the Gulf of Siam, and the Straits Settlements, and on the west by the Indian Ocean and Burma. Apart from its long, narrow arm, known as Lower Siam, extending southward in the Malay Peninsula to the Straits Settlements, it forms a compact region, known as Upper Siam, lying approximately between latitudes 12° and 20° 40' N., and longitudes 98° and 1013° E. The British have been constantly encroaching on the northwest and southwest and the French on the east. Area. estimated at 230, 000 square miles, about one-fourth being in the Slalay Peninsula.
Siam slopes south and southeast from the monntainous,region in the north to the Gulf and the Mekong, the southern part descending in three large terraces to Bangkok. The average elevation of the country is 600 feet. In the west ern portion of Upper Siam the large valley of the Menam River (q.v.), with that of its great tributary the Me Ping from the northwest, forms the characteristic feature. The Menam rises in the low mountain district of the Laos country in the extreme north of Siam and flows south, emp tying into the Gulf of Siam below Bangkok. This area abounds with swamps, briny wastes and jungles, but the national wealth and com merce are found here, and it constitutes the real Siam, the bulk of the population living along these streams. The western boundary of Siam marks in the main the high granite backbone of the Peninsula. The Salwin River flows on the west, but forms a section of the boundary. The eastern part of Siam is characterized by the val ley of the Nam Nun River. This stream flows eastward and enters the great Mekong, which lines the border from the north to the southeast. The central portion of Upper Siam is formed by the Korat plateau—the watershed between the Slenam and the Nam Nun. This region—to the northeast of Bangkok—is little known. The Laos inhabitants in the north live usually in small communities on the river banks. Siam is in general a well-watered land. The great Tonle Sap Lake lies in the southeast, and extends into Cambodia. The geology of the country has not been fittingly studied, but the limestones and dolomitic formations, the basaltic districts and metamorphic sehists, represent here in general a broken and complicated geological area.
The climate is tropical. but not one of such extremes as might be expected. The humidity, however, makes it trying for Europeans, and somewhat unhealthful, especially in the wet sea son from May to October. The rainfall is in
some sections as high as 240 inches; at Bangkok it is about 50 inches. Siam is more or less af fected by the monsoons. In general the usual temperature ranges from 65° to 90°, the north ern and higher regions being drier and cooler, the thermometer at night there often falling below 50°. The cool season begins in November. In the north the valuable teak tree abounds, and oak and pine grow. Siam furnishes also rose wood. ebony, and most of the tropical woods and fruits. Elephants roam wild and play a famous and varied ride in the life and industries of the country. The rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, the gaur, water-buffalo, tlying-fox, gibbon, and crocodile are also plentiful.
The country is rich in mineral deposits. Con siderable till and some gold and copper are mined. Siam furnishes rubies and about one-half of the world's supply of sapphires. In Northern Siam immense forests cover the land, and the cutting of teak is a conspicuous industry (43.735 tons in 1901). The logs drift down by water to the capital. The forests and the teak industry are under British control. Agriculture is confined almost wholly to the river valleys. The great alluvial Mettam plain, with its inundating fea tures and irrigation facilities, is one of the rich est of agricultural regions. But the farming methods are primitive and progress slow. Chi nese coolies are mostly employed. In the vicinity of Bangkok large tracts are being converted into a fine farming country by the network of canals of a European irrigation company. Riee is the staple food of the Siamese, and is the great agri cultural product. Cotton is also grown abun dantly, and tea and tobacco are produced for home consumption. Pepper comes from Chantabon, and sugar cane, cocoanuts, etc., are grown in large quantities. Most of the manufactures and traffic are in the hands of the Chinese, who are the real toilers. The imports and exports are mainly front and to China, and are increasing, the former having amounted to about $14,000,000 in 1901, the latter to about $21,000,000. Cotton goods form the leading article of import, and rice represents SO per cent. of the exports. In 1901 ships with 1,090,000 tons entered and cleared the Siamese ports. A large trade is carried on back and forth across the northern boundary by local dealers. There are no good roads except near the leading towns. The streams are the great com mercial highways. A railway extends from the capital to Paknan (15 miles) and a line goes to Korat (165 miles). Bangkok is the commercial capital.