Surabaja, the third and final member of the Javanese triumvirate of reputation. Nestled adjacent to the nearby island of Madura, Surabaja's historical significance is not lost upon anyone. Imperial Chinese chroniclers and seamen had documented the trading port in the 15th century, remarking upon the freshness of its waters.

Surabaja was the glistening crown jewel upon the gilded diadem of the Dutch East India Company for a prolonged period of time, being the largest and most prosperous of all the cities in its domains until the rise of modern Djakarta. The Dutch utilized its location, being built upon a natural harbor, at one point transforming it into the largest naval base on the archipelago, a projection of force and dominance. Its favorable position allowed it to be surrounded by lucrative and lush plantations, followed by the series of factories that accompanied the arrival of the Industrial era.

With the expulsion of the Dutch and the ushering in of supposed independence, Surabaja still retains its status as a hub of commerce and trade, a symbol of the opulence which this island brings.