an island in the East Indian Archipelago, lying between S. Lat. 8° and 9°, E. Long. 116°50', and 119°10'; bounded on the N. by the Java Sea; E. by the Strait of Sapit, which separates it from Comodo and Flores; S. by the Indian Ocean; and W. by the Strait of Allass, which separates it from Lombok. Length, about 180 miles; breadth from 20 to 50; area, estimated at 7200 square miles. Its form is irregular, and it is almost divided into two by the deep Bay of Sallee, near the middle of the north coast. Along the southern shore a mountain-range stretches from end to end of the island, with a great depression about the middle, opposite the Bay of Sallee. The rest of the island is for the most part hilly, and level plains only occur in a few places, chiefly at the head of the numerous bays which indent the northern coast, and along the Straits of Sappi on the east. One of the most remarkable peaks in the island is the volcano of Tumbora, near the mouth of the Bay of Sallee; it rises to the height of 9000 feet, and there was in 1815 a most terrible eruption, which caused a fearful devastation in the island, and was heard to the distance of 840 miles. Another eruption, much less destructive, occurred in 1836. The soil of Sumbawa is exceedingly fertile. It produces rice, tobacco, teak, and other kinds of timber, &c. Gold-dust and pearls are obtained here. The horses of the island are of a very good breed, and are exported in large numbers. Buffaloes, deer, and swine abound in the island. Sumbawa is divided into six native states, governed by rajahs, all of whom acknowledge the supremacy of the Dutch, who have a small establishment at Bima on the north coast. This town and Sumbawa, also on the north coast, are the only places where there is any intercourse with other countries; but at these an active trade is carried on in the exportation of native produce, and importations of opium, Indian and European goods.