Cochin-China is a usual name for Annam (q.v.), but is specifically used also for French Cochin-China or Indo-Chine, a colonial possession of France, occupying the south extremity of the Indo-China peninsula, from 8° to 11° 30' N. lat., and from 104° 26' to 107° 30' E. long., bounded N. by Cambodia and Annam; area, 23,400 sq. m. Through nearly its whole extent Cochin-China is low and almost flat. To the north and east, however, the ground rises into the hills of Cape St Jacques, Ba-ria, and Bien-hoa, and the mountain of Dienba. Cochin-China is watered in the west by two branches of the Mekhong (q.v.), the Han-giang and the Tien-giang, which follow a nearly parallel course for about 120 miles. In the east the Dong-nai River flows from north-east to south-west, receiving the Saigon River from the north-west. The Little Vaico flows parallel to and south of the Saigon River. These rivers are all connected with one another by the innumerable arroyos and canals which intersect Cochin-China in all directions. The climate alternates between the rainy season, from April to October, when it rains almost every day, and the dry, from October to April, when no rain falls. The temperature rises in the dry season to 95° F. by day and 62° by night, and in the wet season varies between 68° and 86°. Of all hot climates that of Cochin-China shows perhaps the least considerable variations. The climate is trying, but its insalubrity has been much exaggerated. The soil, mostly alluvial, is exceedingly fertile, producing the best rice in the world. Sugar-cane, tobacco, cotton, arachis, mulberry, indigo, maize, tea, betel, hemp, are raised on a small scale; and coffee, cacao, and vanilla have also been introduced. The province of Bien-hoa and the north of Saigon do not yield to the finest lands of India in the luxuriance of their vegetation and the beauty and variety of their fauna. The province of Vinhlong owes its Annamite name of vuông ('garden') to the abundance, variety, and exquisite taste of its fruits.
The population was estimated in 1891 at 2,034,500, of whom the vast majority are Annamites by race, the remainder Cambodians, Chinese, Malays, Malabaris, with about 3000 Europeans. There is a considerable immigration from various parts of Asia, amounting to nearly 25,000 in some years, only partly balanced by departures. The annual product of rice has a value of from £1,500,000 to £2,000,000. The shipping is mainly that of Saigon (q.v.), and more than half of it British. A railway of 50 miles between Saigon and Mytho has been in operation since 1885, while Saigon and Cholon are also united by a steam-tramway. There are in all some 1850 miles of telegraph in Cochin-China; and Cape St Jacques is joined by telegraph to Singapore, Tonkin, and Hong-kong. Though not yet paying its expenses, the colony of Cochin-China has improved financially, and with the development of its resources its ultimate profit to France is considered assured. For an account of the natives and history, see ANNAM; for a map, BURMA; and for fowls, POULTRY.