Surabaya is the second largest Indonesian city (after Jakarta) and its principle exports include sugar, tobacco and coffee. It has a large shipyard, and numerous specialised naval schools.
History
Surabaya was an important base for the Dutch prior to World War II, the Dutch name is Soerabaja.
Surabaya was captured by the Japanese in 1942, until the Allies bombed it in 1944. After that it was seized by Indonesian nationalists, then reoccupied (through force) by the Dutch in 1947. Because of prolonged international pressure, the Dutch agreed to transfer the sovereignty of its colony in August 1949.
Surabaya was ultimately incorporated into the Republic of Indonesia in December 1949 and rebuilt.