Kalimantan Island is the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo, accounting for two thirds (532205 sq. Km) of its total territory (743330 sq. Km). The shape of the island of Kalimantan, its length, geographical features and natural characteristics are of interest to many tourists. This place, to the shores of which many lovers of wildlife seek from all over the planet.
Where is the island of Kalimantan
Located in the heart of the Malay archipelago, washed by four seas, Kalimantan contains three countries: Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, which occupies the largest part of the land and consists of four provinces named according to the cardinal points: Central, Western, Southern, Eastern. The Malaysian part is located on 26% of the total territory and is divided into the states of Sabak and Sarawak.
What is the length of the island of Kalimantan
Kalimantan, which occupies the third place on the planet in terms of size, is a truly fabulous territory, mesmerizing by the beauty of wild nature with impenetrable tropical jungle, many full-flowing rivers, diverse flora and fauna, certain representatives of which are found only here. From southwest to northeast, the length of the island of Kalimantan is approximately 1,100 kilometers. There are several interpretations of its name: "Land of Mango", "Diamond River" and in honor of the local tribe - Clementans. The length of the island of Kalimantan in km, its coordinates, area and nature are of interest to many travelers who dream of going to these lands with impenetrable jungle.
Island history
The first settlers who came from Africa appeared on the island of Kalimantan a long time ago - about 50,000 years ago. By the 15th century, Borneo became part of the Indonesian Majapahit empire, its inner part was inhabited by the natives, and the northern extremity until the 18th century belonged to the Sultanate of Brunei, which flourished in those years. Europeans began to develop the territory of Kalimantan in the 16th century and settled on it quickly enough; the Dutch even founded the East India Company, the purpose of which was to export natural resources from the newly discovered lands.
Later, the island of Kalimantan (photo attached) became the colonial possession of Holland, which finally subjugated it in the 19th century. During the Second World War was under the occupation of the Japanese. The Republic of Indonesia was recognized as independent in 1950.
A bit about dyaks
The island of Kalimantan (the photo vividly conveys the unspoiled beauty of these magical places) is kept away from the rapidly developing civilization.
There are no ancient historical monuments and resort entertainment. The native inhabitants of the island are the Dayaks, otherwise called “bounty hunters” (for the custom of bringing the heads of warriors of hostile tribes to their camp). They persistently adhere to the traditions laid down by centuries. The aboriginal population is about a million people, and they live according to the
law of the jungle and hunt for monkeys and birds with the help of ancient tools. It is unlikely that against the background of such a rhythm of life, they are interested in the length of the island of Kalimantan in km. Dayaks live in long houses called laminas; in each of about 50 people. They express pride in their people, heroism and hospitality in traditional dances - a truly unusual and fascinating sight.
The total population of the island of Kalimantan is about 10 million people, most of them inhabit the banks of rivers and cultivate land. City residents love trade and various crafts.
Kalimantan Provinces
Central Kalimantan - the largest province of the island, covering an area of 153,564 square meters. kilometers. At first glance, this territory looks like a solid impenetrable jungle forest , although its southern part is a marshland, cut by a large number of rivers, and mountains are located in the north. The highest of them is Bukit Raya, reaching a height of 2278 meters and located on the border of Central and Western Kalimantan. The most beautiful city of the island is considered to be Palancarai, originally conceived as the capital of Indonesia.
Southern Kalimantan (36985 sq. Km) is a rich fertile province, known for huge plantations of iron and rubber trees and divided by the Miratus mountain range into two parts: mountainous with dense tropical forest and lowland with many rivers, the longest of which is Barito (length 600 km). The capital of South Kalimantan is the city of Bandazharmasin, characterized by numerous canals and interesting urban architecture. The symbol of the city is the Sabilal Mukhtadin mosque, famous for its high minarets. Floating markets located on the Burito River and river channels attract the greatest attention due to their unusualness. Not far from Bandazharmasin there are diamond mines where precious stones are mined. Borneo is developing diamond and oil deposits, and oil production is the backbone of the economies of Indonesia and Brunei.
East Kalimantan covers an area of 194,849 square meters. km and is the second largest part of the island with the main city of Samarinda, which is a large trading port located in the Mahakam River Delta and famous for its construction on stilts and rafts. Samarinda is famous for folk crafts: jewelry with pearls, woven rattan gizmos, the thinnest fabrics for sarongs.
West Kalimantan
Western Kalimantan (146,807 sq km) is a territory with thinned tropical forests and peat bogs. Here, as in the southern part of the island, there are a large number of rivers, and most of them are full-flowing all year round. Barito, Mahakam and Kapuas are navigable for several hundred kilometers. By the way, the island has two Kapuas rivers, one of which flows in Western Kalimantan and is considered the longest river in Indonesia (1040 km) and the longest island river on the planet. The second Kapuas, 600 km long, is a tributary of Barito and flows in the central part of the island. The capital of West Kalimantan is the coastal city of Pantianac, crossing the equator line. Attractions worthy of the attention of tourists are the Abdurrahman Mosque, Kadriarch Sultan's Palace, the Museum of Ceramics and Porcelain and the City Museum with a fascinating composition dedicated to the culture of ancient peoples.
Salient Features of Kalimantan
Numerous national parks scattered around the island demonstrate the splendor of tropical nature, the diversity and uniqueness of the animal and plant world. The fauna of Kalimantan is rich and diverse: 222 species are represented by mammals alone, of which 44 are endemic. Here you can find large monkeys, elephants, woolly wings, a large number of species of bats, leopard, crocodile, bicorn rhino. In the forests there are a huge number of birds - about 600 species. The most famous of them: bird - rhino, parrot, argus. The fauna of arthropods and insects is so plentiful that it has not yet been fully studied. Of the trees, pandanus, bamboo, and multi-stemmed ficus prevail, which is a whole grove formed by the aerial roots of one plant, capable of reaching a height of 15-30 meters.
Lush forests are represented by large trees that grow to a height of one and a half kilometers. Among them - sandalwood and rasamala. The wood of these representatives of the plant world is very much appreciated and is the basis for obtaining aromatic essential oils, resins and balms. The peaks of the mountains are covered with mixed meadows and bushes. The shores of Kalimantan are mostly swampy and low-lying, with few convenient bays. An intermittent long barrier of coral reef stretches along the entire coast.