Hainan
an island of China, in the province of Kwang-tung, E. of the Gulf of Tonquin, separated from the mainland of China by a channel of but 10 miles in width; lat, 18° 10' to 20° N., lon. 108° 25′ HAINAULT to 111° E.; area 16,000 square miles.
Pop. about 2,000,000. The E. coast is steep and rocky; the N. W. coast is unapof sand-banks; but the S. coast is indented with several comand safe harbors. The interior of the island is mountainous and barren, but the low lands near the sea are fertile and well cultivated. Products, sugar, pearls, coral, wax, gold, and silver. The metropolis of the whole island is Kiang- Pop. over 50,000. Though the Chinese have possessed this island since 108 в. c., yet 108 B. C., yet there are in the interior some wild and hitherto unsubdued tribes.