|
Borneo is the third largest island in
the world. It has an area of 743,330 km˛
(287,000 square miles), and is located at
the centre of the Malay archipelago and
Indonesia. Borneo is considered to be part
of the geographic region of Southeast Asia.
Administratively, this island is divided
between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
Borneo is a Western appellation; used by the
Dutch during the colonial period. In
Indonesia today, the island is referred to
as Kalimantan. East Malaysia or Malaysian
Borneo refers to the States of Sabah and
Sarawak.
Borneo is surrounded by the South China Sea
to the north and northwest, the Sulu Sea to
the northeast, the Celebes Sea and the
Makassar Strait to the east, and the Java
Sea and Karimata Strait to the south.To the
west of Borneo are the Malay Peninsula and
Sumatra. To the south is Java. To the east
is the island of Sulawesi (Celebes). To the
northeast is the Philippines.
Borneo's highest point is Mount Kinabalu in
Sabah, Malaysia, with an elevation of 4,095
m (13,435 ft) above sea level. This makes it
the world's third highest island.The largest
river systems are the Kapuas River, with
approximately 1,143 km the longest river in
Indonesia, the Rajang River in Sarawak with
some 563 km the longest river in Malaysia,
the Barito River about 880 km long and the
Mahakam River about 980 km long.Borneo is
also known for its extensive cave systems.
Clearwater cave has one of the world's
longest underwater rivers. Deer cave,
thought to be the largest cave passage in
the world, is home to over three million
bats and guano accumulated to over 100
metres high.
|
|
