Marco Polo's Voyage to Indian Seas: 09: The Island of Little Java

Departing from Pentam, and going 130 miles southeast I find the island of Java lesser; but irrespective of this title, it is about 2000 miles in circuit, having eight kingdoms and same number of kings.  I will tell you all truth about it.  The people are idolaters. Each kingdom has a language of its own. There is plenty of spices, lignum aloes ( aloes wood or agar wood, a fragrant wood obtained from Aquilaria tree), and many other woods unknown in our country. The island lies far south that north star is never seen. Now I will tell you of each kingdom by itself.

Little Java is an island near Java, may be Bali or Madura in Indonesia.

End of the Section 

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