MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO

group of more than 200 islands in the Andaman Sea off the Tenasserim coast of extreme southeastern Myanmar (Burma). The island cluster begins with Mali Kyun (Tavoy Island) in the north and ends beyond the southern limits of Myanmar. The group includes Kadan (King), Thayawthadangyi (Elphinstone), Daung (Ross), Saganthit (Sellore), Bentinck, Letsok-aw (Domel), Kanmaw (Kisseraing), Lanbi (Sullivan's), and Zadetkyi (St. Matthew's) islands. Mountainous and jungle-covered, the islands of the archipelago are known for their scenic beauty. The islands' chief inhabitants are the Selungs, or Salons. Tin and tungsten (wolfram) are mined on some islands, and there is an old, established pearl-fishing industry. Other products include edible birds' nests and sea cucumbers.