Background of Sabah

The East Malaysian state of Sabah is the second largest state in the country with an area of 74,500 sq km.

The state boasts a long coastline of 1,440 km facing the South China Sea in the west and both the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea in the east. The state's ecological systems, both on land and in the sea, are havens for naturalists.

Being located just below the typhoon belt, Sabah Borneo has always been known as 'The Land Below the Wind'.

Sabah History

During the 15th century, Sabah was a vassal state of the Brunei Sultanate. In 1704, the Sultan of Brunei ceded the land east of Marudu Bay to the Sultan of Sulu.

In the early 1880s, Moses, an American trader obtained a lease over Sabah from Brunei. The lease was eventually passed to Alfred Dent, an Englishman who signed a treaty with Brunei and Sulu in 1881 to convert the lease into a cession. Thus British North Borneo (Sabah's old name) was born.

The state was administered by the Chartered Company of British North Borneo until the Japanese Occupation in 1945. After World War II, Sabah became a British Crown Colony. In 1963, it gained independence and joined Malaysia.

How to Get There

Malaysia Airlines flies regularly from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila and Hong Kong direct to Kota Kinabalu.

Scuba Diving

Off the North Eastern coast of Borneo lies a tiny jewel of an island, Sipadan, with a marine ecosystem so perfect and unique that it is world-renowned as one of the best dive spots in the world. Sipadan Island rises as a pristine Coral Sea mount, 650 meters from the floor of the Sulawesi Sea. This pinnacle off the eastern coast of Borneo is an oceanic magnet for marine life. As soon as you enter the crystal clear waters of Sipadan Island, you’ll understand why you have endured a journey that has taken you halfway around the world. As you begin to descend into this tropical water, you'll also understand why the World Wildlife Fund says, "No other spot on the planet has more marine life than this island."

Mount Kinabalu - Sabah Borneo

Mount Kinabalu
Visiting mount Kinabalu is one of my personal suggestion. This place-definitely not to be missed. Mt. Kinabalu (4,093m), the summit of Borneo and the tallest mountain in South East Asia. This mountain is sacred to the locals. Thousands from around the world have trekked to its peak. At the foot of this mountain is Kinabalu National Park, a botanical paradise filled with rare orchids, nepenthes pitcher plants and the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.

Sabah - Land Below the wind

Exotic vacation destination: Borneo
SABAH is Malaysia's premier nature adventure destination situated in the northern tip of Borneo Island, the third largest island in the world. Sabah is popular for its wildlife conservation attractions, rain forest, surrounding nature and islands, beach resorts, tropical white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and its warm and friendly people. If you are thinking of visiting Borneo, these places of interest and activities will get in to your interest!