Sarawak is situated on the island of Borneo, and is one of the two states that make up East Malaysia. Sarawak and Sabah are separated from West Malaysia (Peninsula Malaysia) by the South China Sea about 600 km away. With an area of 124,449.51 square km, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, making up some 37.5 per cent of the country's total area.
The State is bounded on the north and northwest by the South China Sea, the northeast by Sabah and Brunei Darussalam, which forms a double enclave, and the south by Kalimantan, Indonesia. Sarawak can be classified into three terrain groups:
a. the alluvial coastal plain,
b. the mountainous interior and
c. the central undulating belt.
Sarawak's highest point is Mount of Murut/Gunung Murut (2,434 m). Malaysia's longest river, the Batang Rajang, that glides through the State.
Population
The largest populated administrative district in Sarawak is the State’s capital, Kuching, with a total estimated population of 579,900 people in 2006. Samarahan is the second most populated district followed by Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Kapit, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri, while Limbang is the least populated district with an estimated 45,500 people in 2006. (Source: Facts and Figures 2006,SPU)
Sarawak is home to 28 ethnic groups; each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. The Ibans form the major ethnic group on this land with about 30.1 per cent of the total population for the year 2000 census. The Chinese who generally live in the cities are the second largest group at 26.7 per cent, followed by the Bidayuh, Melanau and other native tribes of Sarawak. The Malays also constitute a large portion (23 per cent) of the population as well, mainly concentrated along the coast.
Sarawakians practise a variety of religions, including Islam, Christianity, Chinese folk religion (a fusion of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and ancestor worship), Baha'i and animism. Many converts to Christianity among the Dayak people also continue to practice traditional ceremonies, particularly with dual marriage rites and during the important harvest and ancestral festivals such as Gawai Dayak and Gawai Antu.
On the whole, Sarawak has an equatorial climate. The temperature is relatively uniform within the range of 23°C to 32°C throughout the year. During the months of March to September, the weather is generally dry and warm.
Humidity is consistently high on the lowlands ranging from 85 per cent to 95 per cent per annum. The average rainfall per year is between 3,300 mm and 4,600 mm, depending on locality, and the wettest months are from November to February.
Government
Sarawak is divided into 11 Divisions:
Kuching Division
Samarahan Division
Sri Aman Division
Betong Division
Sarikei Division
Sibu Division
Kapit Division
Mukah Division
Bintulu Division
Miri Division
Limbang Division
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