Mombas'a, a seaport of growing importance and capital of the British East Africa Protectorate, is situated on a small coralline island 3 miles long by 2 1/2 broad close to the coast, 150 miles N. of Zanzibar. It was held by the Portuguese pretty continuously from 1505 to 1698; was under British protection in 1S25-30, and then under the sultan of Zanzibar, who in 1S88 ceded it provisionally to the British East Africa Company. They were made definitive masters of the place two years later, when they also were put in possession of a vast tract of country, extending 400 miles along the coast, and inland up to the Victoria Nyanza (see Ibea) ; but in 1895 the company's territory was declared a British protectorate. Hence in 1896-1902 a rail way was made to the Victoria Nyanza, a distance of 572 miles. The harbour, one of the largest, safest, and healthiest on the east coast of Africa, was in 1890 made a British naval coaling station. The town has been largely rebuilt; and extensive harbour-works were undertaken in 1890. Pop. about 20,000, mostly Africans, with some Arabs and Banyans. On the mainland opposite is Frere Town, the see of an Anglican bishop.