Description of the island of Kalimantan

The island of Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo, which makes up two-thirds (532,205 sq. Km.) Of its total territory (743,330 sq km). The shape of the island of Kalimantan, its extent, geographical features and natural characteristics are of interest to many tourists. This place, to the shores of which from all corners of the planet many lovers of wild nature aspire.

Where is the island of Kalimantan

Located in the heart of the Malay Archipelago, washed by the four seas, Kalimantan contains three states: Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, occupying the largest part of the world and consisting of four provinces, named according to the directions of the world: Central, Western, Southern, Eastern. The Malaysian part is located on 26% of the total territory and is divided into Sabak and Sarawak states.

How long is the island of Kalimantan

Kalimantan, which occupies the third place on the planet in its size, is a truly fantastic territory, fascinating with the beauty of the wild nature with impenetrable tropical jungles, a multitude of full-flowing rivers, a diverse flora and fauna, certain representatives of which are found only here. From the southwest to the northeast the length of the island of Kalimantan is about 1100 kilometers. There are several interpretations of its name: "Land of mango", "Diamond River" and in honor of the local tribe - klementants. The length of the island of Kalimantan in km, its coordinates, area and nature are of interest to many travelers who dream of getting to these parts with impenetrable jungle.

History of the island

The first settlers, who came from Africa, appeared on the island of Kalimantan long ago - about 50,000 years ago. By the 15th century, Borneo became part of the Indonesian empire of Majapahit, its interior was inhabited by the natives, and the northern extremity up to the 18th century belonged to the prosperous Sultanate of Brunei. Europeans began to develop the territory of Kalimantan in the 16th century and settled on it quite quickly; The Dutch even founded the East India Company, whose goal was to export natural resources from the newly discovered lands.

Later, the island of Kalimantan (photo attached) became the colonial possession of Holland, finally subjugating it in the 19th century. During the Second World War was under the occupation of the Japanese. The independent Republic of Indonesia was recognized in 1950.

A bit about the Dayaks

The island of Kalimantan (the photo brightly conveys the entire untouched beauty of these magical places) is kept away from the rapidly developing civilization. There are no ancient historical monuments and resort entertainment. The indigenous inhabitants of the island are the Dayaks, otherwise known as "bounty hunters" (for the custom of bringing into their camp the heads of the warriors of hostile tribes). They stubbornly adhere to the traditions laid down by centuries. The number of aborigines is about one million people, and they live according to the law of the jungle and hunt for monkeys and birds with the help of ancient cannons. 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. They live in long houses called laminas; In each approximately 50 people. Pride for their people, heroism and hospitality is expressed in traditional dances - the spectacle is truly unusual and fascinating.

The total number of inhabitants of the island of Kalimantan is about 10 million people, most of them inhabit banks of rivers and cultivate lands. Urban residents like trade and various crafts.

Province of Kalimantan

Central Kalimantan - the largest province of the island, covering an area of 153564 square meters. Kilometers. At first glance, this area looks like a continuous impenetrable forest of the jungle, although its southern part is a marshy area, riddled with a large number of rivers, and in the north direction there are mountains. The highest of them - 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 Palankaraya, originally conceived as the capital of Indonesia.

South Kalimantan (36985 sq. Km.) Is a rich fertile province, famous for its huge plantations of iron and rubber trees and divided into two parts: mountainous with a dense tropical forest and lowland with a large number of rivers, the longest of which is Barito (600 km long 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 mosque Sabilal Mukhtadin, famous for its high minarets. The most attention is attracted by the unusual floating markets, located on the river Burito and river canals. Near to Bandajarmasin there are diamond mines, where precious stones are mined. In Borneo, diamond and oil deposits are being developed, and oil production is the backbone of the economy 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 major trading port located in the delta of the Mahakam River and famous buildings on piles and rafts. Samarinda is famous for folk crafts: ornaments with pearls, wicker rattan, fine fabrics for sarongs.

Western Kalimantan

West Kalimantan (146,807 sq. Km.) Is a territory with thinning 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 year round. Barito, Mahakam and Capua are navigable for several hundred kilometers. By the way, on the island there are two rivers of Capua, one of which flows in West Kalimantan and is considered the longest river in Indonesia (1,040 km) and the longest island on the planet by the island river. The second Capua 600 km long is the tributary of Barito and flows in the central part of the island. The capital of Western Kalimantan is the coastal city of Pantianak, which crosses the equator line. Attractions worthy of attention of tourists are the Abdurrahman Mosque, the Sultan's Palace Kadriarch, the Museum of Ceramics and Porcelain and the City Museum with a fascinating composition dedicated to the culture of ancient nationalities.

Characteristic features of Kalimantan

Numerous national parks scattered around the island show the splendor of tropical nature, the diversity and uniqueness of the animal and plant world. The fauna of Kalimantan is rich and diverse: mammals alone are represented by 222 species, 44 of which are endemic. Here you can find large monkeys, elephants, wool-wing, a large number of varieties bats, leopards, crocodiles, two-horned rhinoceros. In the forests there is a huge number of birds - about 600 species. The most famous of them: a bird - a rhinoceros, a parrot, an argument. The fauna of arthropods and insects is so abundant that it has not yet been fully studied. Of the trees here dominate pandanus, bamboo, multi-barrel ficus, which is a whole grove, formed by the air roots of a plant that can reach 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 tops of the mountains are covered with meadow grass and bushes. The banks of Kalimantan are mostly boggy and low-lying, they have few comfortable bays. Along the entire coast stretches an intermittent long barrier of coral reefs.