JAVA, along with Madura, has an area of 50,554 square miles. The island is mountainous throughout ; but the soil, almost every where derived from volcanic mud, is very fertile. The mean temperature is about 80° F., and the mean annual rainfall of the greater part of the island is over 80, and in many places over 100 inches. The population consists mainly of people belonging to the Malay race, and is estimated to number 30,000,000, but in addition there are over 70,000 persons of Dutch extraction, many of whom, however, have been born in the East Indies. The control exercised by the Dutch government at home, and by its representa tives in Java, has enabled that island to become the most pros perous, as it is the most densely populated, of all in the eastern sea.
Rice is the most important crop of the country, but, although it is extensively grown, the supply is no longer able to meet the home demand, and considerable quantities have to be imported. Other agricultural products are grown mainly on plantations and are intended for export. Of these, coffee formerly held the leading place, but within the last few years the output of the original varieties, Co flea liberica and Co flea arabica, has declined owing to leaf disease, and a new variety, Co flea robusta, originally imported from the Congo, has taken their place, though in quality it is some what inferior to them. Tea has long been grown in Java, but the recent substitution of plants from India and Ceylon for Chinese varieties has led to a marked development of the industry, and the annual output now amounts to about 40,000,000 lbs. The gardens are mainly situated in the west of the island, where the rainfall throughout the year is more regular than it is elsewhere. The bulk of the product finds its way to the Netherlands and to the United Kingdom. Cinchona plantations, many of which belong to the government, have been established in the mountain districts, generally at a height of over 4,000 feet. Partly owing to the
favourable conditions under which it is grown, and partly owing to the superior methods adopted for the improvement of the bark, the Javanese product is gradually ousting that of Peru and Bolivia from the world's markets. The cultivation of sugar is the most important plantation industry in the centre and east of Java ; but attention has recently been given to the production of rubber, and a number of plantations of Hevea brasiliensis have just reached the productive stage. Other products include coconuts, grown chiefly on the coast, cacao, tobacco, and pepper.
The commerce of Java is carried on mainly from the ports on the north coast. Batavia is the seat of the government, and through its new harbour at Tanjong Priok passes most of the trade of the eastern part of the island. Semarang serves the central districts, and Surabaya is an important trading and manufacturing town in the west. All three are connected with one another by rail, while an extensive system of steam trams renders nearly the whole island accessible to trade.
SUMATRA.—The island of Sumatra is of much less importance, and, although it has an area of about 166,000 square miles, its popula tion numbers only about 4,000,000. The west of the island is mountainous, while the east is a plain ; but much of the land is still covered with a dense forest from which camphor, gutta-percha, and gums are obtained. Coffee has long been grown on the slopes of the western mountains, but the principal districts engaged in export agriculture lie along the east coast. Here, much capital has recently been invested in rubber plantations, some of which are now beginning to give a return. Other products include tobacco and pepper. Gold, coal, and petroleum are all obtained, but in small quantities. The chief ports are Padang and Benkulen on the west coast, and Palembang on the Moesi river in the eastern plains.