MALACCA

From Agepedia

MALACCA, or MALAYA ; country of India beyond the Ganges, consisting of a large peninsula, connected with Siam by the isthmus of Kraw, which is about 75 miles broad. In all other places, it is surrounded by the sea. It is about 775 miles long, and 120, on an average, broad. It is traversed throughout by a chain of lofty mountains, and is covered with extensive forests and marshes, so that it is difficult to penetrate into the interior. The fruits are excellent and plentiful, but grain is not produced in sufficient quantity to supply the inhabitants. Its political condition alternates between a dependence upon Siam and a division into a number of petty . independent states. (See Malays,)