1918

BORNEO
After Australia this island is the largest in the world. It extends from about
7 deg. N. to 4 deg. S. latitude, and from' 109 deg. to 118 E. longitude. Its length is about
850 miles, its greatest breadth 600 miles, and its average breadth is estimated at 350'
miles. Its vast interior consists of almost impenetrable forests, which teem with animal
life, but are sparsely populated by man. The soil is, fertile, and in some parts near the
coast the land is marshy. It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1526, and they as well
as the Spaniards, Dutch, and English formed settlements on different parts of the coast,
but none of these were long maintained. The Dutch claim sovereignty ovgr the greater
part of the south and west of the island, along the coast of which they maintain establish¬
ments; the territories of the British North Borneo Company, the Rajah of Sarawak
and the Sultanate of Brunei (now administered by the British Government) extend
over and along the north and north-eastern coast. The Native States are insignificant
and in a backward condition. The total population of Borneo is roughly estimated
at 3,000,000. The productions are many and varied, and the mineral resources believed
to be great. The Chinese, who have been settled in most Bornean towns for
generations, conduct all the trading operations. The country generally is in an
undeveloped condition. The natives are of the Malayan type, and are, as a rule,
indolent and wanting in enterprise. A British Protectorate exists over Sarawak and
the territory of the British North Borneo Company.
SARAWAK
The territory of Sarawak comprises an area of about 40,000 square miles, with a
population of about 600,000, composed of various races. It is situated on the north-west
coast of the island of Borneo, is intersected by many rivers navigable for a considerable
distance inland, and commands about 400 miles of coast line. The sovereignty of the
district from Tanjong Datu to the entrance of the Samaharan river was obtained from
the Sultan of Brunei in the year 1842 by Sir James Brooke, who became well known as
Rajah Brooke of Sarawak. In 1861 a second cession was obtained, from the Sultan of
Brunei, of all the rivers and land from the Samarahan river to Kadurong Point; in 1882'
a third cession was obtained of one hundred miles of coast line and all the country and
rivers that lie between Kadurong Point and the Baram river, including about three
miles of coast on the north-east side of the latter; and in 1885 another cession was
obtained of the Trusan river, situated on the north of the mouth of the Brunei riven
In 1888, a British Protectorate was established, and in 1890 the Rajah took possession
of Limbang, which was approved of by H. M. Government in August, 1891. In
1905 the Lawas district was also added to the Sarawak territory. The present Rajah,
H. H. Vyner Brooke was born 26th September, 1874 and was married on 27th
February, 1911, to Hon. Sylvia Brett.
The country produces diamonds, gold, silver, antimony, quicksilver, coal, gutta¬
percha, india-rubber, canes, rattans, camphor, beeswax, birds’ nests, sago, pepper, and
gambier. The principal towns are:—Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, situated on the
Sarawak river,'about 23 miles from its mouth, in latitude 1 deg. 33 min. N., longitude
110 deg. 20 min. E. (approximate). Claude Town, the principal town and fort on the
Baram river, is about 60 miles inland. Bintulu, situate at the mouth of the Bintulu
river, is famous for its sago. Muka, a few miles up the river of that name, is also noted
for its sago and bilian timber. Oya, which lies about lA miles up the Oya river, and Matu*
about 5 miles up the Matu river, are both noted for their sago. Sibu is situated about
60 miles, Kanowit about 100 miles, and Kapit about 160 miles up the Rejang river.
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