Colombo is the capital of Ceylon (s-ln´). Ceylon is an island lying southeast of India, and like India it is a colony of Great Britain. Ceylon is about the size of West Virginia. It contains over 3,500,000 people. It is famous for its tea plantations. Rubber is also produced, and many precious stones are found. Colombo is the chief port and the largest city. It is about the size of Providence, R. I. Colombo, however, is far more important than its size would suggest. Its chief value lies in its harbor. Ships from the ports of eastern Asia and the northern East Indies must have a coaling station on the south shore of Asia. Besides, there must be a junction point of steamship lines, just as there is for railroads. This is necessary so passengers can change ships and freight be transferred to go to different places. Colombo is the chosen coaling station and junction. Its harbor has been largely made. A breakwater almost a mile long has been built of concrete. This makes the bay a fairly safe haven for the big steamers. The picture shows the way they are taking advantage of it. The large steamers you see belong to the Peninsular and Oriental lines. The harbor contains 660 acres of water. The small vessels you see in the foreground are called catamarans (kt´ å-må-rn´). The word means "tied up wood." Does the word describe the object? How many of them do you see? Colombo is a healthy city in spite of its heat. Its streets are broad, and its chief buildings are modern and handsome. It contains all kinds of people-Europeans, Malays, Afghans, and so on. It is 400 years old, but its progress has been made mostly in the last 30 years. Find Ceylon on your map. Keystone ID: 12101 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.