ABSTRACT
The coastline of Indo-China is bordered by the Gulf of Tonkin, the South China Sea and the Gulf of Siam. It shows great variety of relief form. Rocky islands fringe the shore in north-east Tonkin, while mountains fall sharply to sea level in central Annam and west Cambodia. Several deep-water bays provide first class anchorages for the largest vessels. A large part of the coastline, however, is lowlying, with shallow lagoons and sand dunes as in north Annam, or with alluvial fiats as in the delta regions of the Fleuve Rouge and the Mekong. Shifting sand bars at the mouths of many rivers frequently restrict penetration inland. Lighthouses mark the entrance channels to the principal ports and indicate the position of the more prominent headlands, such as Cap Varella and Cap Padaran.
