The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

58 MALACCA STEAIT.—MALAY COAST. [cuap. i.
The north part of Pulo Penaiig is mountainous, and through the centre
of the island runs a range of hills, declining in height as it approaches the
south-west extremity, but two-thirds of the whx)le surface of Penang are
level and of gentle inclination, and, like the hills, are covered with woods.
West hill, the highest point of the island, is 2,735 feet high ; at a short
distance to the eastward is Government hill, on which stands a signal flag-
staff 2,550 feet above the sea. The western side of the island is low and
wooded. The climate of the high lands is said to resemble that of Funchal
in Maderia ; the thermometer in the plains ranges between 76° and 90°,
and on the mountains 65° to 75°. Rain falls throughout the year.
Excepting in a few places, Penang is considered to be very healthy.
The soil is favourable to the growth of spices ; the chief cultivation is
in sugar, rice, and cocoa-nuts. Tin ore is found at the base of the
mountains.
GJ-GOrgetOWn, the capital, is situated at the north-east extremity of
Penang, and has a population of about 13,000. It is built on level ground,
clean and well supplied with water. It has a handsome church, an
Ai'menian chapel, two Roman Catholic chapels, a court house, gaol,
public school, poorhouse, the government offices, and the civil and military
hospitals. A few shops are kept by Europeans, but the greater number by
Chinese.
Fort Cornwallis is built on the north-east point of the island, close to the
town. There are cantonments for troops near the town.
The fort signal staff is in lat. 5° 24' 30" N., long. 100° 20' 38" E.,
assuming FuUerton battery observation spot to be in long. 103° 51' 15" E.
In 1881 the population of Penang was 90,751, who are almost entirely
engaged in agriculture and mining. Of this number 45,135 are Malays;
29,474 Chinese ; 15,730 natives of India; and 612 Europeans; Wellesley
province numbers 97,324.
Telegraph. Cables.—Penang has telegraphic communication by
sub-marine cable with Madras, Rangoon, Malacca and Singapore, thence
to all parts of the world.
These cables are landed at a cable house on the north shore of George-
town, about one mile northward of the fort. A telephone cable spans
the North channel, leading from the cable house to the harbour mark
obelisk on the main ;
a cone buoy marked " Cable " lies one mile E. by N.
of Klawi obelisk, and anchorage near it is prohibited. Wellesley province
is in connexion with Thaipeng and other places in Perak state. Penin-
sular and Oriental mail steamers call every fortnight ; Austrian Lloyd's
monthly ; there is also constant communication with the Strait Settlements.
Trade.—The exports comprise tin, sugar, spices, sago, rice, buftalo
hides, and horns, rattans, gum, coffee and opium, and amoupted in 1884 to
about 7,000,000/. ;
the imports amounted to about 6,000,000/.