ADELAIDE, is becoming a commercial city of much importance. It is the capital of the Colony of South Australia, and is built on the river Tor ens. Port Adelaide, at the mouth of the river, seven miles distant from the town, is a fine and capacious harbour, well situated in respect to the prevailing winds. At the present time (1850) a railway is being formed from Adelaide to Port Adelaide. Nearly 14,000 emigrants landed at Adelaide in the four years 1844-7, and the number has since still more largely increased.
The discovery of no fewer than seventy rich copper mines in South Australia is tending to make Adelaide an important place of ship ment ; while the wool-trade is also advancing with great rapidity. Adelaide was, iu 1845, made a free port to the ships of all nations. The imports in the year ending April 1849, were valued at and the exports at 485,9511. ; 112,333 tons of shipping entered inward and outward ; 16,000 tons of copper ore, and 19,000 cwt. of wool, were exported. ADEN, a town and harbour on the southern shores of Arabia, in the province of Yemen. Before the British took possession of it, Aden was an ill-supplied miserable place, consisting of a small number of mud huts covered with mats, and containing about 600 inhabitants.
At present it is a flourishing place of trade, containing from 20,000 to 25,000 inhabitants, surrounded with gardens and orchards, in which all the necessaries of life may be had at a moderate price. The British took possession of Aden in 1840, when a steam-boat navigation was established between Bombay and Suez,' for which Aden serves £ I .4 a central depOt. There are about a dozen steam-vessels engaged on this mail route ; and if the present discus sions (1850) concerning the Australian mail should result in the Singapore route being chosen, Aden will become a still more impor tant place. Since the occupation of Aden by the British, its trade with the surrounding countries has increased, and a number of Bauians, Parsecs, and other merchants have settled there. It is expected that the whole commerce of the lied Sea, and especially that of Yemen and Iladramaut will soon be trans. ferred to Aden. The exports of British manu factures thither in 1849 amounted to 14,5641.