Borneo: The Land of River and Palm

Borneo, the Land of River and Palm is a travel and descriptive work by Eda Green, issued in a new edition in 1912. The book presents an account of Borneo that emphasizes its river systems, landscapes, and tropical environment, which shaped travel, settlement, and daily life on the island in the early twentieth century.

Green describes journeys along the great rivers that served as the principal routes into the interior, alongside observations of towns, villages, and the peoples encountered along their banks. Attention is given to local customs, economic activities, and the natural world, with particular emphasis on the lush vegetation and distinctive character of the region. Written for a general readership, the narrative combines practical description with a sense of travel and exploration.

The 1912 new edition reflects continuing interest in Borneo at a time of expanding European involvement in Southeast Asia. The book remains a representative example of early twentieth-century travel literature, offering insight into contemporary perceptions of the island’s geography, cultures, and environment.