Nias
an island belonging to the Netherlands; about 65 miles W. of Sumatra; has an area of about 1,800 square miles. The surface is mountainous, the highest peak rising 1,970 feet. In 1857, when the Dutch took complete possession of the island, the population was reckoned at 17,000. Recent estimates place it at 200,000. They grow rice, cocoanuts, bananas, tobacco, sugarcane, etc., and annually about 110,000 the Malay race, but fairer than the pounds of pepper. The Niassers are of type.