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Monday 18 February 2013

Borneo

Borneo is one of the Sunda Islands in the West Pacific and the third-largest island in the world with an area of 754,000 square kilometers/290,000 square miles.

It comprises the country of Brunei; the Malaysian territories of Sabah and Sarawak; and, occupying by far the largest part, the Indonesian territory of Kalimantan.


BORNEO HISTORY

The history of Borneo is long and complex, dating back to at least 40,000 years ago. The island has been inhabited by a variety of indigenous peoples for centuries, including the Dayak, Iban, Kadazan-Dusun, and Murut.

In the 14th century, Borneo came under the influence of the Majapahit empire, a powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdom based in Java, which is in present-day Indonesia. The Majapahit Empire was one of the last major empires of the Indonesian archipelago and had a significant sphere of influence, which included parts of Borneo.

The Portuguese were among the first Europeans to establish a presence in the region in the 16th century, and they were followed by other European powers, including the Dutch, British, and Spanish. This era marked the beginning of European colonial and trading interests in Borneo.

These European powers were primarily interested in Borneo's valuable resources, which included items like pepper, camphor, gold, and other valuable commodities. The competition for control of these resources, as well as trade routes in the region, often led to conflicts and power struggles between the European colonial powers.

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) had established a trading post on Borneo in the 17th century, and over time, they sought to strengthen and expand their control in the region.

The Dutch gradually extended their influence by establishing administrative and trading centers, forming treaties with local rulers, and, in some cases, using force to assert their dominance. The Dutch presence in Borneo was concentrated in what is now known as Kalimantan, which is the Indonesian part of Borneo. They sought to exploit the island's rich natural resources, including timber, rubber, and minerals. 

Dayak, the main indigenous people in the island, were feared for their headhunting practices.

James Brooke was an English adventurer and a former military officer of the East India Company. He visited Borneo in 1839 and aided the sultan in suppressing a revolt. Brooke was subsequently appointed the Sultan's representative in Sarawak, and he eventually established himself as the ruler of the region  He established a monarchy, and the Brooke dynasty (through his nephew and great-nephew) ruled Sarawak for 100 years; the leaders were known as the White Rajahs.

In 1877, the British established the North Borneo Protectorate. The North Borneo Protectorate was created when the British North Borneo Company, a private British trading company, obtained a royal charter from the British government to administer and govern the territory of North Borneo (now known as Sabah) on the northern part of the island.

During World War II, Borneo was occupied by the Japanese. After the war, the Dutch and British returned to the island, but their rule was short-lived. In 1949, Indonesia gained independence from the Netherlands. In 1963, North Borneo and Sarawak joined the newly formed Federation of Malaysia. Brunei gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984.

Today, Borneo is a diverse and vibrant island. The three countries that share the island have worked together to promote economic development and cooperation. However, Borneo also faces a number of challenges, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change.

BORNEO FACTS

In the early 1950s, the World Health Organization parachuted around twenty live cats into Borneo after cities became overrun with rats.

A forest fire in early 1998 destroyed 11,583 square miles of forest.

Borneo's population is estimated to be around 23,053,723 (2020 national censuses). The majority of Borneo's population lives in coastal cities and towns. The largest city on Borneo is Samarinda with a population of 827,994 at the 2020 Census, Other major cities include Pontianak, Banjarmasin, and Kuching.

In coastal areas the people of Borneo are mainly of Malaysian origin, with a few Chinese, and the interior is inhabited by the indigenous Dyaks. 


Indigenous communities in Borneo, particularly in Sarawak and Kalimantan, live in traditional longhouses. These longhouses are communal dwellings that can stretch for hundreds of meters and house multiple families.

The food in Borneo reflects the diverse culture and ingredients found on the island. Popular dishes include laksa, rendang, and various seafood dishes, often cooked with aromatic spices and coconut milk.

Borneo has extensive cave systems, with some of the largest and most intricate caves in the world. The Mulu Caves in Sarawak, Malaysia, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world's largest cave chamber, Sarawak Chamber.

Borneo is renowned for its incredible biodiversity. It is home to more than 60,000 plant and animal species, including 180 species of frog. It is also home to the endangered Bornean orangutan, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and the world's smallest bear, the sun bear.


A forest fire destroyed 11,583 square miles of forest in Borneo in early 1998. It was one of the most destructive forest fires in recorded history, and it had a devastating impact on the island's ecosystem.

Borneo is home to the Rafflesia arnoldii, the world's largest flower. It can measure up to 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter and emits a foul odor of decaying flesh.

Source Hutchinson Encyclopedia © RM 2013. Helicon Publishing is division of RM
 

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