Batavia

the capital and seaport of the Dutch East Indies. It is situated on the north coast of Java, in the latitude of 6 deg. 8' S. The harbor is deep, picturesque, and safe. Ships anchor within the shelter of numerous islets. The business portion of the city is low, being built on a marsh by the sea. The quarters for the Dutch soldiers, offices for officials, and the dwellings of the wealthier merchants are in an elevated suburb which has been much admired by travelers. It is, to all intents and purposes, a beautiful botanic garden. Batavia has long been the seat of Dutch commerce in the east. It was founded by them in 1619. The products of the Dutch East Indies are collected at Batavia for shipment, chiefly to Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The warehouses are piled high with rice, sugar, tea, indigo, quinine, tobacco, spices, Java coffee, and other East Indian products. The merchants import cotton goods and implements for distribution to plantations far and near. The Batavian trade is one of the chief sources of Dutch commercial prosperity. Steamer landings average fifteen a day. The population of Batavia in 1905 was 138,551, including about 9,000 Europeans, 28,000 Chinese, and 2,000 Arabs.