acrosstheSTRAITS
acrosstheSTRAITS
across the Straits
In this issue:
Special features
Borneo
Sarawak
Sabah
Hotel Guide
Spanning an area of 743,330 square kilometres, Borneo is the third largest island in the world. Shared by Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia and
encompassed by six seas; housed by a labyrinth of cave systems and
densely populated by lush rainforests and rivers, Borneo will be an utmost pleaser to the fervent naturalist. Being the largest island in Asia, and
obscured by one of the oldest rainforests in the world, it is not surprising
that it is native to a vast array of biodiversity - boasting more than 18,500
species of flora and fauna, and is surrounded by the most immaculate
of waters. It serves as a crucial refuge for endemic animal species such
as the Asian Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Bornean Clouded
Leopard. Since the Heart of Borneo agreement was signed in 2007, another 123 species have been unraveled, which presents its boundless
manifestation of animal and plant life. Occupying 26% of the island
in the North is Malaysia Borneo – constituting of Sabah and Sarawak
where the latter houses the most extensive caverns and elaborate river
systems in the world. With Indonesia taking up most of the land and
Brunei only comprising of 1% of the geographical makeup, the former
also has its share of natural sights and elements as well. The country is
acclaimed for its stellar national parks and sweeping view of a thicket
of herbage. Embarking on an odyssey on this island will be filled with
overwhelming awe that will amaze the most seasoned of trekkers.
Apart from its diverse geography of the island, Borneo has a rich history
in trade and politics. Then treasured for its gold, tortoise shells and rhinoceros horns, just to name a few, cities in the west coast were pivotal
trading ports between India and China in the first millennium. Despite
its heavy influences by Majapahit till the 14th century, the boundaries
of Borneo were defined in 1905 after it was brought through a series of
trial and tribulation during primitive times which included the acquisition of northern Borneo by British adventurer, James Brooke as well as
World War Two.
As of 2010, Borneo has 19,800,000 inhabitants where majority of them
are living in the coastal cities. A walk through the hinterland presents
settlements of small towns and villages, a scene that will be an eyeopener from the booming metropolis we come from. Being of high cultural and geographical significance, one will have a hard time uncovering the occult that this territory has to offer.
with the support of
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