Area: 48,050 mi²
Population: 2.636 million (2015)
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Located in northwest Borneo, Sarawak is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sabah to the northeast, Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, to the south, and the independent country of Brunei in the north. The capital city, Kuching, is the economic centre of the state and seat of the Sarawak state government. Other cities and towns in Sarawak include Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu. As of the 2015 census, the population of Sarawak was 2,636,000. Sarawak has an equatorial climate with tropical rainforests and abundant animal and plant species. It has several prominent cave systems at Gunung Mulu National Park. Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia; Bakun Dam, one of the largest dams in Southeast Asia, is located on one of its tributaries, the Balui River. Mount Murud is the highest point in Sarawak.
Geography
The total land area of Sarawak is nearly 124,450 square kilometres (48,050 sq mi), making up 37.5 percent of the total area of Malaysia, and lies between the northern latitudes 0° 50′ and 5° and eastern longitudes 109° 36′ and 115° 40′ E. Its 750 kilometres (470 mi) of coastline is interrupted in the north by about 150 kilometres (93 mi) of Bruneian coast. Sarawak is separated from Kalimantan Borneo by ranges of high hills and mountains that are part of the central mountain range of Borneo. These become loftier to the north, and are highest near the source of the Baram River at the steep Mount Batu Lawi and Mount Mulu. Mount Murud is the highest point in Sarawak.
Languages
English was the official language of Sarawak from 1963 to 1974 due to opposition from First Chief Minister of Sarawak Stephen Kalong Ningkan to the use of the Malay language in Sarawak. In 1974 the new Chief Minister Abdul Rahman Ya'kub recognised Malay alongside English as an official language of Sarawak. This new status given to the Malay language was further reinforced by new education standards transitioning curriculum to Malay. In 1985 English lost the status of an official language, leaving only Malay. Despite official policy, Sarawak opposition members argue that English remained the de facto official language of Sarawak. English is still spoken in the legal courts, and state legislative assembly. In 2015, Chief Minister Adenan Satem announced that English will be reinstated as an official language.
Currency
The Malaysian Ringgit is equal to 100 cent. Currency notes are issued in denominations of one, five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Ringgit while coins are issued in one, five, 10, 20 and 50 cent.
Both the Indonesian Rupiah and Malaysian Ringgit are available to purchase before you depart. It is handy to have local currency in Borneo, so that you do not have to waste time searching for an exchange kiosk when you arrive.
Activities
 Gunung Mulu National Park is a protected rainforest in Malaysian Borneo. It’s known for its dramatic peaks and caves, including the huge, bat-filled Deer Cave. The cave leads to the Garden of Eden, a hidden valley and waterfall enclosed by limestone cliffs. |
 Niah National Park, located within Miri Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, is the site of the Niah Caves limestone cave and archeological site. Niah National Park was 31.4 km² when it was gazetted in 1974. Nomination for World Heritage status of the Niah Caves was sent to UNESCO in 2010. |
 The Kuching Cat Museum is a cat museum in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. It was founded in 1993. It is owned by the Kuching North City Hall. The World's first Cat Museum, devoted to all things feline, is in Petra Jaya in the Kuching City North City Hall. Cat lovers will find a range of exhibits, ... |
 The Lambir Hills National Park is a national park in Miri Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. It is a small park, at 6,952 hectares, and is composed largely of mixed dipterocarp forest, with some small areas of 'kerangas'. |
 Mount Santubong is a mountain in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is located about 35 km north of the state capital Kuching. Gunung Santubong is located 35km north of Kuching and is approximately 2,658 feet above sea level. |
 The Sarawak State Museum is the oldest museum in Borneo. It was founded in 1888 and opened in 1891 in a purpose-built building in Kuching, Sarawak. Address: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Taman Budaya, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia |
 Sarawak Cultural Village- Sarawak Cultural Village is tucked away on the foothills of Mount Santubong at Damai Beach, 35 km north from Kuching. It is also known as a living museum. |
 Similajau National Park is a national park in the Bintulu Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is located about 30 kilometres from Bintulu. Similajau is best visited during the dry season... |
 Tua Pek Kong Temple in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia is an icon of the town with its 7-storey pagoda. Its history dates back to 1870. The temple is also known as Sibu ... |
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