Sumbawa

Sumbawa, one of the chain of the Sunda Islands to the east of Java, lies between Lombok (on the west) and Flores (on the east). Area, 5192 sq. m.; pop. about 150,000, all Malays and Mohammedans. They are divided between four native rulers, who owe allegiance to the Dutch governor of Celebes. The islands are mountainous but fertile, and yield rice, tobacco, cotton, sandalwood, &c. In 1815 an eruption of Tambora, the loftiest peak on the island, whereby the altitude was decreased from 14,000 to 7670 feet, depopulated the kingdoms of Tambora and Papekat, 12,000 lives being lost, and great damage done to the whole island by the ashes. Another eruption took place in 1836, and one of another peak, Gunong Api, in 1860, though with little loss.