KYAUKPYU  , a

district in the Arakan division of Lower Burma, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal . It consists of, first, a strip of mainland along the Bay of Bengal, extending from the An pass, across the main range, to the Ma-I River, and, secondly, the large islands of Ramree and Cheduba, with many others to the south, lying off the coast of Sandoway . The mainland in the north and east is highly mountainous and forest-clad, and the lower portion is cut up into numerous islands by a network of tidal creeks . Between the mainland and Ramree lies a group of islands separated by deep, narrow, salt-water inlets, forming the north-eastern shore of Kyaukpyu harbour, which extends for nearly 30 M. along Ramree in a south-easterly direction, and has an average breadth of 3 M . The principal mountains are the Arakan Yomas, which send out spurs and sub-spurs almost to the sea-coast . The An pass, an important trade route, rises to a height of 4664 ft. above sea-level . The Dha-let and the An • rivers are navigable by large boats for 25 and 45 M. respectively . Above these distances they are mere mountain torrents . Large forests of valuable timber cover an area of about 65o sq. m . Kyaukpyu contains numerous " mud volcanoes," from which marsh gas is frequently discharged, with occasional issue of flame . The largest of these is situated in the centre of Cheduba island . Earth-oil wells exist in several places in the district .

The oil when brought to the

surface has the appearance of a whitish-blue water, which gives out brilliant straw-coloured rays, and emits a strong pungent odour . Limestone, iron and coal are also found . Area 4387 sq. m.; pop . (19o1), 168,827, showing an increase in the decade of 2.3% . The chief town, Kyaukpyu, had a population in Igo' of 3145 . It has a municipal committee of twelve members, three ex officio and nine appointed by the local government, and there is a third-class district gaol . Kyaukpyu is a port under the Indian Ports Act (X. of 1889), and the steamers of the British India Navigation Company call there once a week going and coming between Rangoon and Calcutta .