WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Only Siam remained largely intact and independent. By 1886 the rest of the region had been divided among the British, French, Dutch, and Spanish (who soon were replaced by the Americans), with the Portuguese still clinging to the island of Timor.

Detailed explanation-2: -It was adopted by the Portuguese from the 16th century and became the accepted geographical term. Kingdoms rose and fell, but from the 1780s the Chakri dynasty ruled the whole of Siam from their capital at Bangkok.

Detailed explanation-3: -Siam was able to maintain independence during the year 1900 because of its modernization through reform and nationalism, creating a sense of identity that was parallel to much of the world.

Detailed explanation-4: -France went on to suggest dividing Thailand into two, but through diplomacy, a treaty was signed in 1896, which agreed to keep Thailand independent, acting as a buffer zone between the two powers.

Detailed explanation-5: -Thailand covers an area of 513, 120 km², the country is just slightly larger than Spain or slightly more than twice the size of the U.S. state of Wyoming. Until 1939 the country was known as Siam.