Travel in Sabah - Malaysia - Asia - History

Sabah - History

IMAGE:First Malay Kingdoms Once known as British North Borneo, Sabah reassumed its former name upon independence through the formation of Malaysia in 1963. Its modern history began when the British North Borneo Company acquired land for the opening of plantations in 1881. After World War II, Sabah was a British crown colony until its independence.

With a land area of 74,000 sq. km, Sabah is known for its sandy white beaches, clear water, spectacular corals and beautiful mountain parks. On Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea (4,093m) there are many unique plant species, including some 1,200 or so species of orchids.

IMAGE:Murut Dancers The climate is typically tropical, although less wet than Sarawak. The higher altitudes of mountainous regions are cooler and the temperature near the summit of Mount Kinabalu can drop to freezing.

The Kadazandusun form the largest indigenous group in Sabah, and tend to occupy the interior of the state. In former times, this location was chosen to protect themselves from the coastal pirates by a formidable mountain range. The other major ethnic groups of Sabah include Bajau, Murut, Rungus, Malays, Bisayahs and Chinese.

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