SOURABAYA
Sourabaya is the capital of the "Provincie" Oost-Java, in the island of Java, and is advantageously situated for commercial purposes on the Madura Strait, directly opposite the island of Madura. The second largest city on the island, it is the principal centre of Java's commercial activities. It is also the naval headquarters of the Netherlands India. Among its principal buildings are a fine Government house, ja naval arsenal, several shipbuilding yards and a naval flying-base.
t
Sourabaya's position is naturally protected and it lies on the low alluvial delta of the Kali Mas river which empties into the Madura strait. This strait is the narrow division between the island of Java and that of Madura. Sourabaya, therefore, is the outlet in a trade way for exceptionally rich districts. It has been pointed out else- where that Java is naturally divided into three producing districts, each of which, while yielding much the same products, yields a different grade. This is due to cliinate as well as to soil. Much of the soil of Java is of volcanic origin and therefore exceedingly rich in deposits of a nutritive value. The eastern portion of the island, of which Sourabaya is the seaport proper, contains about 2,000 square miles of agricultural land, most of which has been under cultivation for many years. About 71 per cent. of the population is agricultural. Among the foreigners the Chinese play an important. part. In 1934 there were 27,234 Europeans, 47,175 foreign Orientals, 265,872 natives; total 340,281.
The climate is typically tropical there being only three quarter of an hour's difference between the longest and the shortest day. The climate, however, shows one marked difference from that of other tropical regions for the influence of the sea and mountain-breezes moderates the heat during the day and prevents too fast cooling-. off at night. The pressure is constant with a mean temperature of 80 F. maximum 95% F. and a rainfall of 130 inches. The wet season covers the period from November to January, the dry one from May to August.
Sourabaya is extremely fortunate in point of shipping, thanks largely to its geo- graphical position. Besides a modern, well equipped harbour, Sourabaya is provided with an excellent and safe roadstead. The entrance to the roads is 1,500 feet In width at the west, and the depth of water at low tide is 22 feet. At the East entrance, which widens to the open sea, the depth is about 16 feet and in the roads about 442 feet. Since 1910 very important works, such as several quays, warehouses, etc, have been constructed.
DIRECTORY
IF
AAUNEMING MIJ, N. V. ALGEM. BOUWEN-
—(A.B.A.M), Building Contractors
AAUNEMING MIJ, TH, FIRMA H. F. BOERSMĄ, N. V. NEDERLANDSCHE (N.E.D.A.M.)
ALGEMEENE NED. IND. ELECTRICITEIT MIJ, N. V., Electric Power Co., serving Java and Borneo. Importers of Electrical Accessories Cable Ad Energon; Codes A.B.C. 5th and 6th, Tybo, Bentley's Mosse, Galland & Alpha
"
AMSTERDAM" N.V. HANDELSVEREENIG-
ING, Producers of Sugar, Producers and Exporters of Sisalfibre, Suma- tra and Manila Fibre, Palm Oil, Tea, Tapioca, Rubber-Head Office: Amsterdam; Cable Ad: Reineke. Branch Offices: Sourabaya & Me dan; Cable Ad: Victoria; Codes: Acme, A.B.C. 6th, Bentley's and Private
12