Batavia Java

Batavia, Java, a port on the north coast of the island of Java, the capital of all Dutch territory in the Eastern Archipelago. It stands in a swampy plain at the head of a large bay, and is divided in two by the river Jacatra or Tjiliwong, which fills numerous canals intersecting the streets. The low-lying old town is extremely unhealthy, but the new quarter on higher ground affords a pleasant abode for Europeans and contains many fine buildings, including the government house, schools, hospitals, asylums, banks, etc. Several suburban villages extend beyond the town limits, and but small traces are left of the old ramparts. The harbour is not very good, as ships of much burthen cannot approach within a mile or two of the shore, but at Onrust, 6 miles distant, there is a large floating dock and facilities for making commercial basins. A railway has been made 40 miles inland, and tramways connect the different quarters. The population is very diversified, comprising Dutch, Javanese, Portuguese, Malays, Arabs, and Chinamen. Though Singapore is a powerful rival, Batavia does an enormous trade collecting exports from all the islands of the Archipelago, and distributing to them imports from Europe, India, China, and elsewhere. The site was first occupied by the Javanese town of Sunda Colappa, then Jacatra took its place, and in 1619 the Dutch established their settlement. The British captured it in 1811, but restored it at the peace of Paris.