Jambi

Capital of Jambi province in eastern Sumatra, Indonesia; population (1995 est) 410,400. Situated on the Batang Hari River, 80 km/50 mi from the Strait of Berhala on the China Sea, the port can be reached by ocean-going vessels. It is a trading centre for rubber and palm oil from the surrounding area. Industries include rubber processing, and exports include timber, rattan, and rice.

Jambi was a focus of the Buddhist Srivijaya empire between the 7th and 12th centuries, when it was known as Melayu; many Buddhist and Hindu sculptures remain in the town's vicinity. As capital of the declining Srivijaya empire in the late 13th century, Malayu and its dominions came under Majapahit rule from the 14th century. It was sacked in the 17th century by forces of the Johor sultanate.

Jambi is home to Jambi University.