West Kalimantan facts for kids

West Kalimantan, known as Kalimantan Barat in Indonesian, is a province in Indonesia. It is located on the island of Borneo, which is shared with Malaysia and Brunei. West Kalimantan is one of five Indonesian provinces on this large island. Its capital city is Pontianak. The province covers an area of about 147,307 square kilometers (56,875 square miles). In 2014, about 4.5 million people lived there.

Quick facts for kids West Kalimantan Province Provinsi Kalimantan Barat کاليمانتان بارت 西加里曼丹
Province
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Provinsi Seribu Sungai Province of Thousand Rivers
Motto(s):  Akçaya (Sanskrit) (Immortal)
Location of Province of West Kalimantan in Indonesia
Country	Indonesia
Capital	Pontianak
Area
• Total	147,307 km2 (56,876 sq mi)
Area rank	3rd
Population  (2014)
• Total	4,546,439
• Density	30.86370/km2 (79.93662/sq mi)
Demographics
• Ethnic groups	Dayak (32.75%), Malay (29.75%), Chinese (29.21%), Javanese (5.25%), Bugis (0.3%) Others (9.85%)
• Religion	Islam (51.22%), Roman Catholicism (23.94%), Protestantism (12.38%), Buddhism (12.21%), Confucianism (1.68%), Hinduism (0.06%)
• Languages	Indonesian (official), Malay (Pontianak Malay, Sambas Malay), Dayak (Iban, Kendayan, Jangkang, Bukar Sadong etc.), Chinese (Hakka, Teochew)
Time zone	UTC+7 (WIB)
Vehicle registration	KB
HDI	0.648 (Low)
HDI rank	28th (2014)
Website	www.kalbarprov.go.id

People and Culture in West Kalimantan

West Kalimantan is home to many different groups of people. The largest groups are the Dayak and the Malay. The Dayak people make up about 32.75% of the population, and the Malay people are about 29.75%. There are also many Chinese people, making up about 29.21% of the population. Other groups include the Javanese and Bugis people.

Languages Spoken in the Province

The official language in West Kalimantan is Indonesian. However, many other languages are spoken daily. These include different types of Malay, like Pontianak Malay and Sambas Malay. Many Dayak languages are also spoken, such as Iban, Kendayan, and Jangkang. Chinese languages like Hakka and Teochew are common too.

Religions in West Kalimantan

People in West Kalimantan follow various religions. The main religion is Islam, followed by over half the population (51.22%). A large number of people are Christian, including Roman Catholics (23.94%) and Protestants (12.38%). Other religions practiced include Buddhism (12.21%), Confucianism (1.68%), and Hinduism (0.06%).

Geography and Nature

West Kalimantan is known as the "Province of a Thousand Rivers" (Provinsi Seribu Sungai). This is because many rivers flow through the region. These rivers are important for travel and trade.

Danau Sentarum National Park

One special natural area in West Kalimantan is Danau Sentarum National Park. This park is a very important wetland. Wetlands are areas where water covers the land, like swamps or marshes. Danau Sentarum is recognized internationally for its unique environment and wildlife.

History of Pontianak Sultanate

The capital city, Pontianak, has a rich history. The Pontianak Sultanate was founded here. The first building built to celebrate the start of the Sultanate was the Masjid Jami' Pontianak. This mosque was built in 1771 along the Kapuas River. It shows a mix of local Malay-Muslim, Middle Eastern, European, and Javanese building styles.

Images for kids

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  Dayak people were known for their bravery.

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  Danau Sentarum National Park is a wetland of international importance located in the north of the province.

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  The "Dayak-Malay" brotherhood monument in West Kalimantan Provincial Museum, Pontianak, Indonesia. The Dayak and the Malays are the two largest native communities in the province.

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  Masjid Jami' Pontianak, originally built in 1771 on the banks of Kapuas River. It was the first structure built to commemorate the foundation of Pontianak Sultanate.

See also

In Spanish: Provincia de Borneo Occidental para niños