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Sarawak facts for kids

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Sarawak
State
Flag of Sarawak
Flag
 Coat of arms of Sarawak
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): 
Bumi Kenyalang
Land of the Hornbills
Motto(s): 
Bersatu, Berusaha, Berbakti
United, Striving, Serving
Anthem: Ibu Pertiwiku
My Motherland
   Sarawak in    Malaysia
   Sarawak in    Malaysia
Country Malaysia
Established under the Bruneian Empire 15th century
Raj of Sarawak 1841
Japanese occupation 1942
British crown colony 1 July 1946
Gained self-governance 22 July 1963
Federated into Malaysia 16 September 1963
Capital
(and largest city)		 Kuching
Divisions
List
Betong
Bintulu
Kapit
Kuching
Limbang
Miri
Mukah
Samarahan
Sarikei
Serian
Sibu
Sri Aman
Government
 • Type Parliamentary
 • Body Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
Area
 • Total 124,450 km2 (48,050 sq mi)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total 2,780,000 (4th)
Demonym(s) Sarawakian
Demographics (2014)
 • Ethnic composition
  • Dayak: 43%
  • Malay: 24%
  • Chinese: 24%
  • Melanau: 6.7%
  • Other Bumiputera: 0.3%
 • Dialects Bornean • Sarawak Malay • Hakka
Other ethnic minority languages
State Index
 • HDI (2017) 0.737 (medium) (12th)
 • TFR (2017) 1.7
 • GDP (2016) RM124,513 million
Time zone UTC+8 (MST)
Postal code
93xxx to 98xxx
Calling code 082 to 086
ISO 3166 code K (MY-13, 50–53)
Vehicle registration QA to QT
Official language(s)

Sarawak is a large state in Malaysia. It is located on the northwest part of Borneo Island. Sarawak shares borders with the Malaysian state of Sabah to the northeast. It also borders Kalimantan (which is the Indonesian part of Borneo) to the south. To the north, it borders Brunei.

The capital city of Sarawak is Kuching. It is the biggest city in the state. Kuching is also the main economic hub and where the state government is located. Other important cities and towns include Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu. In 2015, about 2,636,000 people lived in Sarawak.

Sarawak has a tropical climate. This means it has warm temperatures and lots of rain all year. The state is home to lush rainforests. These forests are full of many different kinds of animals and plants. Sarawak also has amazing cave systems, like those in Gunung Mulu National Park. The Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia. The Bakun Dam, one of Southeast Asia's largest dams, is on one of its branches. Mount Murud is the highest point in Sarawak.

Sarawak's Long History

The oldest signs of humans in Sarawak are found at the Niah Caves. People lived there as far back as 40,000 years ago. Chinese pottery from the 8th to 13th centuries AD has been found at Santubong. This shows that people traded here a long time ago.

From Brunei to British Rule

In the 16th century, the coastal areas of Sarawak were part of the Bruneian Empire. In 1839, a British explorer named James Brooke arrived. He and his family, known as the White Rajahs, ruled Sarawak from 1841 to 1946.

During World War II, Japanese forces took over Sarawak for three years. After the war, the last White Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke, gave Sarawak to Britain. It then became a British Crown Colony in 1946.

Joining Malaysia

On July 22, 1963, Britain gave Sarawak self-governance. Later, on September 16, 1963, Sarawak became one of the first members of Malaysia. This new country was formed by several states joining together.

However, the formation of Malaysia led to some challenges. There was a period of tension with Indonesia, which lasted for three years. There was also a local conflict that continued until 1990.

How Sarawak is Governed

Sarawak has a special way of governing itself. The head of state is called the Governor, or Yang di-Pertua Negeri. The head of the government is the Chief Minister.

Sarawak is divided into different areas called administrative divisions and districts. The government system is similar to the Westminster parliamentary system. This system was the first of its kind in Malaysia.

Sarawak's Economy and Resources

Sarawak is rich in natural resources. It is a major exporter of oil and gas. The state also produces a lot of timber and oil palm products.

Besides these, Sarawak has strong industries in manufacturing and energy. Tourism is also very important. Many people visit Sarawak to see its beautiful nature and learn about its cultures.

People and Culture

Sarawak is known for its many different ethnic groups, cultures, and languages. The main ethnic groups include Iban, Malay, Chinese, Melanau, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu. Each group has its own unique traditions and customs.

English and Malay are the two official languages used in Sarawak. There is no official religion, which means people are free to practice any faith they choose.

Languages

The official languages of Sarawak are Malay and English.

Images for kids

  • Buceros rhinoceros -Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia-8a (1)

    The rhinoceros hornbill is the state bird of Sarawak.

  • Sir James Brooke (1847) by Francis Grant

    James Brooke, the first White Rajah

  • Sarawak territorial expansion

    Territorial expansion of the Raj of Sarawak from 1841 to 1905 played a significant role to the present-day boundaries of the modern state of Sarawak.

  • Native population of Kuching

    Crowds throng a street in Kuching to witness the arrival of Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 12 September 1945.

  • Sarawak during the formation of Malaysia (16 September 1963)

    Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan declaring the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963

  • Julan waterfall 01

    Julan waterfall (located at Usun Apau Plieran) is the highest waterfall in Sarawak

  • Rajang delta

    The Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia

  • How to peel a banana with your foot (26443349170)

    An orangutan peeling a banana at Semenggoh Wildlife Reserve.

  • Sarawak, Cultural Village 11

    A logging camp along the Rajang River

  • Bintulu LNG port

    An LNG port at Bintulu, Sarawak

  • Bakun Dam Power House

    Turbines inside the Bakun Dam power house. The dam is the main source for electric energy in Sarawak.

  • French Gypsy band performing during RWMF 2006

    French Romani Manouche band performing during Rainforest World Music Festival 2006

  • KIA newterminal

    Kuching International Airport terminal

  • RTG at Bintulu International Container Terminal (BICT)

    Bintulu International Container Terminal (BICT) at Bintulu seaport

  • 27 August 2011 Sarawak General Hospital

    The Sarawak General Hospital

  • Chancellory Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

    Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) chancellory building

  • Ethnic groups in sarawak

    Major ethnic groups in Sarawak. Clockwise from top right: Melanau girls with the traditional Baju Kurung, Sarawakian Chinese woman in her traditional dress of Cheongsam, a Bidayuh girl, and an Iban warrior in his traditional dress.

  • Sape Player, Kayan Tribe, Sarawak (7246809770)

    A Kayan tribesman, playing the Sapé.

  • Ngajat, the Iban's Warrior Dance

    Ngajat, the Iban warrior dance gazetted as part of Sarawak culture.

  • Laksa Sarawak

    A bowl of Sarawak laksa

  • Mulu Pinnacles

    Pinnacles at Gunung Mulu National Park

  • Mount Murud Summit 02

    The vegetations at the summit of Mount Murud

  • South China Sea, Sarawak (7246670486)

    South China Sea view from Sarawak

  • Bako National Park (3678650933)

    Parts of the Bako National Park

  • St Joseph Church, Kuching, Malaysia

    St. Joseph Cathedral

  • Sarawak State Mosque 02

    Old Sarawak State Mosque

  • Hong San Si Temple 03

    Hong San Si Temple

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sarawak para niños

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