HAINAN, a large island in the Chinese Sea, lying S. of the province of Canton, to which it is annexed, and separating the Gulf of Tonquin from the Chinese Sea. It is separated from the southern extremity of the province of Canton by the strait of Luichan, 15 or 16 miles wide, and lies between N. Lat. 18. 10. and 20. 54., and E. Long. 108. 25. and 111. It is about 150 miles in length by 100 in breadth, and has an area of above 12,000 square miles. The interior of the island is mountainous: some parts of it rise above the snow line, and it is inhabited by aboriginal tribes. The Chinese inhabitants are mostly descendants of emigrants from Fokien, and are agricultural, trad-
ing, or piratical in their vocation, according to circumstances. The soil is mostly sandy, but some of the plains, particularly on the W. coast, are of great fertility. Timber constitutes its most valuable product, the sides of the mountains being covered with extensive forests of sandal, rose, brazil, ebony, and other trees. Its other products are chiefly rice, sugar, tobacco, indigo, cotton, sweet potatoes, and various fruits. Wax also forms an important article of export; it is produced by an insect called the pelatchung, or white wax insect, when laying its eggs. Hainau is divided into 13 districts. The capital Kiungchanfu is a very populous town, at the mouth of the Limu River, on the Luichan, and has an excellent harbour. Several of the other towns are very populous. The island is said to contain about 1,500,000 inhabitants.