BORNEO
This island is one of the largest in the world. It extends from about 7 deg. N. to 4 deg. S. latitude, and from 109 deg. to 118° E. longitude. Its length is about 850 miles, its greatest breadth 600 miles, and its average breadth is estimated at 350 miles. Its vast interior consists of heavy forests, which teem with animal life, but are sparsely populated by man. The soil is fertile, and in some parts near the coast the land is marshy. It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1526, and they, as well as the Spaniards, Dutch, and English, formed settlements on different parts of the coast but none of these was long maintained. The Dutch claim sovereignty over the greater part of the south and west of the island, along the coast of which they maintain establishments; the territories of the British North Borneo Company, the Rajah of Sarawak and the Sultanate of Brunei (now administered by the British Government) extend over and along the north and north-eastern coast. The Native States are insignificant and in a backward condition. The total population of Borneo is roughly estimated at 3,000,000. The productions are many and varied, and the mineral resources believed to be great. The Chinese, who have been settled in most Bornean towns for generations, conduct most of the trading operations. The country generally is in an undeveloped condition. The natives comprise Malays, Dayaks and other races of a kindred type. A British Protectorate exists over Sarawak and the territory of the British North Borneo Company.
SARAWAK
The area of Sarawak is about 50,000 square miles. The coast line is about 500 miles and many rivers are navigable. The government of part of the pre- sent territory was obtained in 1842 by Sir James Brooke from the Sultan of Brunei. Various accessions were made between 1861 and 1905. Under an agree- ment of 1888 Sarawak is recognised as an independent State under the protec- tion of Great Britain. The present Rajah, H. H. Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, G.C.M.G. (born on September 26, 1874) succeeded his father, H. H. Sir Charles Johnson Brooke, G.C.M.G. in 1917. Heir presumptive, Bertram Brooke (H. H. the Tuan Muda) (born on August 8, 1876).
The population is estimated at about 490,585 Malays, Dayaks, Melanaus, Kayans, Kenyahs, Muruts and other minor tribes, with Chinese and other settlers. The chief towns are the capital, Kuching, about 23 miles inland, on the Sarawak River, Sibu, 60 miles up the Rejang River, which is navigable by large steamers and Miri, the headquarters of the Sarawak Oilfields, Ltd. At Kuching are Church of England and Catholic mission with schools.
The revenue is derived chiefly from Customs, the Government opium mono- poly, gambling, arrack and pawn farms, royalty on oil, land revenue, timber royalty, exemption tax payable by Malays, and from Dayak and Kayan revenue, The revenue in 1939 was $4,762,532; expenditure, $4,200,269. Public debt, nil. Coal exists in large quantities. A considerable oil field is being developed at Miri and Bakong in the Baram district.
Foreign trade in 1939 was: imports, $26,173,420; exports, $34,379,748. The chief imports in 1939 included (in thousand dollars) crude oil 6,524; rice, 2,384; iron, steel and manuacturers, 2,494; tobacco, 1,565; cloth and cotton, 1,104; machinery, 688; sugar, 854; kerosene, 515; exports: plantation rubber, 15,384; liquid fuel, 5,644; gold, 1,141; benzine, 3,871; sago flour, 1,572; kerosene, 1,189; solar oil, nil; white pepper, 693. The trade is mostly with Singapore.