Billton

Billton, or BLITONG, an island in the Dutch East Indies, between the SE. of Banca and the SW. of Borneo. It is of round shape, about 50 miles in length by 45 broad, and 1855 sq. m. in area. To the north, which is hilly, the highest point rises 3000 feet. It is rich in iron, tin, and timber, and exports rice, trepang, edible birds' nests, seaweed, tortoise-shell, and wax. Its coasts are beset with rocks and islets. The best harbour is at Tandjong; Pandang is the chief town. Pop. 38,200, of whom over 100 are Europeans, and 10,000 Chinese, the rest mostly Malays.