JOHOR (Johore), an independent Malayan state at the southern end of the peninsula, stretching from 2° 4o' S. to Cape Romania (Ramiinya), the most southerly point on the main land of Asia, and including all the small islands adjacent to the coast which lie to the south of parallel 2° 4o' S. It is bounded north by the state of Pahang, north-west by the Negri Sembilan and the territory of Malacca, south by the strait which divides Singapore island from the mainland, east by the China Sea, and west by the Straits of Malacca. The greatest length from north west to south-east is 165 m., the greatest breadth from east to west I00 m. Area of Johor, 7,678 sq.m. The state forms a region of comparative lowland; the highest point is Mt. Ophir (Gunong Ledang), about 4,000 ft. The Mtlar is the most important water way, while in the valley of the Johor the old capital of the state was situated. The Endau marks the boundary with Pahang.
Like the rest of the peninsula, Johor is covered with forest, broken here and there by clearings and settlements. The capital is Johor Bharu (pop. about 20,000), situated at the nearest point on the mainland to the island of Singapore. The palace built by the sultan Abubakar is the principal feature of the town. The capital of the province of MUar (placed under the administration of Johor by the British Government in 1877), is Bandar Maha rani. The climate is equable for a region situated so near to the equator; it is cooler than that of Singapore. The temperature varies from 98.5° to 68.2°. The rainfall averages 97.28 in. per annum. The population in 1934 was 499.370, of which 249,982 were Malays, 201,205 Chinese and 43,273 Indians.
It is claimed that the Mohammedan empire of Johor was founded by the sultan of Malacca after his expulsion from his kingdom by the Portuguese in 151i. It is certain that Johor took an active part, together with Achin, in the war between the Portu guese and the Dutch for the possession of Malacca. Later we find Johor ruled by an officer of the sultan of Riouw (Riau), bearing the title of Turnenggong, and owing feudal allegiance to his master in common with the Bendahara of Pahang. In 1812, however, this officer seems to have thrown off the control of Riouw, and to have assumed the title of sultan, for one of his descendants, Sultan Husain, ceded the island of Singapore to the East India Company in 1819. In 1855 the then sultan, Ali, was
deposed, and his principal chief, the Tumenggong, was given the supreme rule by the British. His son Tumenggong Abubakar was made a maharaja in 1879. In 1885 he entered into a new agreement with the British government, and assumed the title of sultan of Johor. This agreement was amended in 1914; the sultan to act on the advice of a British adviser. The sultan is assisted in his government by an Executive Council and by a Legislative Council.
Johor imports food and drink, tobacco and raw materials. The amount of rubber exported in 1926 amounted to 60,169 tons. There are 627 miles of good roads (1926) and the railway from Penang to Singapore crosses Johor for 120 miles. The Johor portion is leased to the government of the Federated Malay States for some years. A causeway taking the railway line and road joins the island of Singapore with the mainland across the Johor straits. The railway was opened in 1923 and the road in 1924. The river ways are also important for the rubber traffic. (H. CL.; X.) JOIGNY, a town of central France in the department of Yonne, 18 m. N.N.W. of Auxerre by the P.L.M. railway. Pop. (1931) Joigny (Joviniacurn) was probably of Roman or igin. In the loth century it became the seat of a countship de pendent on that of Champagne. A fragment of a ladder in the church of St. Andre commemorates the successful resistance of fered by the town to the English in 1429. Joigny is situated on the flank of COte St. Jacques on the bank of the Yonne. Its streets are steep and narrow, and old houses with carved wooden façades are numerous. The church of St. Jean (16th century), which once stood within the enceinte of the old castle, contains a representation (15th century) of the Holy Sepulchre in white marble. Other interesting buildings are the church of St. Andre (12th, i6th and 17th centuries) with its Renaissance portal and its fine bas-reliefs; and the church of St. Thibault (16th century). The Porte du Bois, a gateway with two massive flanking towers, is a relic of the loth century castle; there is also a castle of the i6th and 17th centuries, partly demolished. The hotel de ville (18th century) shelters the library; the law-court contains the sepulchral chapel of the Ferrands (16th century). Joigny has trade in wines, coal, wood, wooden shoes and hosiery.