A policy of tight control and attentiveness allowed the Dutch to capitalize on opportunities and thus dominate shipping and trade in the archipelago. Inland and maritime cultures relations during the pre-colonial period The geographical conditions and historical background of the Indonesian archipelago have preconditioned both its maritime and inland cultures. In general, the Outer Islands and Malay
Peninsula are usually recognized as the representation of maritime culture while the inland culture is represented by Java island where feudalistic kingdoms developed during the course of history. The dynamic relation between maritime and inland cultures in the past is closely linked with the never-ending competition between the Malay world centered in Sumatra (and Malay Peninsula) and the Javanese world cantered in Java.