Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, an outback of sheer beauty rich in resources such as pepper, cocoa, palm oil, timber and oil. With an area of 124,450 sq km, it is a region of endless fascination, possessing the largest cave in the world, verdant jungles, unique fauna and flora, white beaches, and remote islands. Its population of 1.5 million people is as rich and varied as the land. The capital of Sarawak is Kuching and other town are Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, Kapit and etc. Boats and cars are a common mode of transport in Sarawak, as its the dense vegetation of its interior is crisscrossed with rivers. Travel in areas not reachable by boat is often by light aircrafts and helicopters. Major towns are serviced by buses.
Sarawak's history as an independent entity begins with a remarkable story. In 1839, when Sarawak was rebelling against the Brunei Sultanate, an English adventurer named James Brooke arrived and volunteered to quell the revolt. Brooke was successful, and as a reward the Pengiran Mahkota of Brunei made Brooke the Rajah of Sarawak in 1841. James was suceeded by his nephew Charles Brooke in 1868, who in turn was succeeded by his eldest son Charles Vyner in 1917. During the Second World War Sarawak was occupied by Japanese forces, but it was subsequently ceded to Britain after the war and became a British Crown Colony. Sarawak joined Malaysia in 1963 and today observes a democratic system of government..
Sarawak is known to international visitors primarily because of the extraordinary natural wonders of its national parks, including Gunung Mulu, Niah, and Bako. Sarawak's cultural treasures are also fascinating, reflecting the influence not only of the state's many ethnic peoples, but also the odd western influence of Sarawak's "White Rajahs."
Sarawak's capital is Kuching, which means cat in the Malay language--a mysterious name, since Kuching seems to have no unusual number or sort of cat. Kuching sits on the banks of the Sungai Sarawak, approximately 32 km from the south china sea. The city strongly reflects the influence of the West, as it was for much of the last two centuries the home of the 'White Rajahs' . Places of interests are the Sarawak Museum, Fort Margherita, Astana, the court house, Tua Pek Kong Temple, Hong San Temple, Sarawak State Mosque, The Sarawak Cultural Village and Heritage Centre at Santubong and Santubong Fishing Village attractive not only because of its good beach resort; it has also captured the interest of archaeologists who have discovered Hindu and Buddhist influences around the Santubong River estuary. Also, history reveals that the discovery of gold made it an important trading centre during the "golden" era of the seventh and thirteenth century AD.
Kuching City and its Waterfront.
Back to Dennis's homepage.
For comments and suggestions, Please email to dennisw@oocities.com
This Web Space sponsored by