West Kalimantan, Province in Borneo, Indonesia.
Description
West Kalimantan is a province on the Indonesian side of Borneo, covering large areas of tropical rainforest crisscrossed by rivers and mountains. The capital Pontianak sits at the mouth of the Kapuas, one of the longest rivers on the island, while the interior remains mostly dense forest with scattered villages.
History
The area became part of the Dutch East Indies during colonial rule and received provincial status in 1957 after Indonesian independence. Before that, it was divided into several sultanates and traditional territories organized around major rivers.
Culture
Several ethnic groups live side by side, including Dayak in the interior, Malay along the coast, and Chinese descendants in towns, each keeping their own languages and customs. These differences show in clothing, crafts, and food at local markets and during festivals.
Practical
Rivers and boats play a central role in moving around, as many places can only be reached by water. Travelers should allow plenty of time because distances can be considerable and roads are often poor or absent.
Did you know?
Lake Sentarum in the northwest changes appearance depending on the rainy season, shifting from a broad wetland into a network of separate water bodies. This yearly transformation affects the life of nearby communities and their fishing practices.
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Tanjung Puting
241.9 km
The Equator monument
187.3 km
Bako National Park
324.7 km
The Astana
308.1 km
Tayan Bridge
145.4 km
Fort Margherita
307.8 kmSt. Joseph's Cathedral, Pontianak
183.8 km
Kelam
191.3 km
Sarawak Stadium
310.8 km
Sarawak State Museum
307.2 km
Kuching Cat Museum
310.8 km
New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building
307.9 km
Wisma Sanyan
415.6 km
Planetarium Sultan Iskandar
306.4 km
Jami Mosque of Pontianak
183.1 km
Danau Sentarum National Park
289.5 km
Sabangau National Park
399.8 km
Gunung Palung National Park
29.4 km
Tua Pek Kong Temple, Sibu
415.3 km
Kahayan Bridge
396.7 kmMuseum Provinsi Kalimantan Barat
181.7 km
Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park
240.1 km
Kuching Old Courthouse
307.7 kmBatang Ai National Park
302 km
Betung Kerihun National Park
416.5 km증기폭포
280.9 km
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sibu
415.5 km
Darussalam Grand Mosque, Palangka Raya
394.3 km
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