The coast from Bantam to the river _Chi-mánok_, about two degrees in length on the north, is nearly parallel to that which extends from Wyn Coops Bay to a point about twenty miles west of _Núsa kambúng'an_, the breadth throughout being about seventy-eight geographical miles; and from the same point to the river _Manchíngan_, a distance of about one degree and three-quarters, the coast is nearly parallel to that which lies between _Chéribon_ and _Semárang_, the breadth throughout being about fifty-seven geographical miles. From the west point of _Japára_ to point _Pángka_ on the north, distant from it about two degrees, and along the corresponding coast on the south, the average breadth is seventy-three geographical miles; and from _Surabáya_ to the north-east point of the island, distant about one degree and a half, and along the south coast opposite to it, the average breadth is forty-five geographical miles. At the time when Europeans first visited Java, the whole of the island acknowledged the supremacy of one sovereign: but there was a period in its history when it was nearly equally divided under the independent administration of two powers, one established in the eastern, and the other in the western districts; and as there is a marked distinction between the descendants of these two nations, the most general division of the country is still into the western and eastern districts, to the latter of which alone the term Java is applied by the natives. They are separated by the river _Losári_, which forms the boundary between _Chéribon_ and _Brébes_: and all the western, the northern, with a few of the inland districts and the Island of _Madúra_, are under the immediate authority and administration of the European government. The rest of the island remains subject to the native princes, and on that account is designated on the map and elsewhere, with more regard to convenience than correctness of language, as the Native Provinces. The provinces under European authority have latterly been divided into fifteen residencies, or separate administrations, exclusive of the seat of government, which, as they will be frequently referred to in the course of this work, it may be convenient to notice in this place.