2. The succession of archipelagoes off the east coast, on the

other hand, has practically converted the Siam Gulf, China
Sea, Yellow Sea, and Japanese Sea into one continuous
inland sea, which has been since the earliest times the scene
of a busy commerce — legitimate or otherwise. Cf. p. i7>

3. The only ' great drawback has been the climate. The

typhoons of the southern seas and gulfs are notorious,
while [the Okhotsk Sea and the Kamchatkan Gulf are as
much hampered by ice as the Baltic and the White Sea.
4. The numerous islands have been already referred
to as forming the eastern * shore * of this inland sea.
I. Nearly ^ of the total area of 'Asia' is comprised in these
island groups ; and in the south-east Uiey form one of the
most important boundaries of the continent, as the deep
channel that flows between Bali and Lombok and on up
the Macassar Strait is considered to separate ' Asia ' from
'Australasia.' So, too, the narrow strip ot the Sunda islands
divides * Indian' from * Pacific' waters.
a. The only Mediterranean island of any real importance is
Cyprus (cf. Ceylon in the Indian Ocean), which consists of
a long plain-— the Mesorea — shut in on the north and the
south by mountains, which cut off moisture from the interior.
The central position of Nicosia is suitable for a capital ;
Famagusta, though very unhealthy, might be made a good
harbour ; Lamal^ though only an unsheltered roadstead,
monopolises the trade, exporting dates, raisins, and salt —
characteristic products of a dry island.
