II.

Land and Resources

For the most part Borneo is mountainous, especially in the northern and central sections. Most of the peaks are between about 915 and 2,285 m (3,000 and 7,500 ft) high. The island's highest peak, Mount Kinabalu (4,101 m/13,455 ft), is in Sabah in the north-east. The many rivers of Borneo serve as the main arteries of internal commerce. Among the most important are the Rajang, Kapuas, Barito, and Mahakam rivers.

Borneo has a tropical climate, with an average annual temperature of about 26° C (78° F). Extreme humidity prevails in many parts of the island, especially in the coastal regions. Precipitation is heavy, averaging about 4,064 mm (160 in) annually for the island as a whole and considerably more in some localities. Maximum precipitation occurs between October and May, the period of the north-eastern monsoon. There is no dry season.

Vegetation is luxuriant and highly diversified. In the mountain regions rhododendron, orchid, pitcher plant, and other flowering plants grow in great profusion. Indigenous fruit trees include the coconut palm, orange, banana, and mango. More than 50 species of timber trees grow in the dense forests, notably teak, ironwood, ebony, and sandalwood.

Elephants and rhinoceroses live in the northern portion of the island, as do the orang-utan, gibbon, proboscis monkey, and wild ox. Among the smaller quadrupeds are several species of macaque monkey, tiger cat, tapir, honey bear, porcupine, flying squirrel, flying fox, and various species of deer. Reptiles include the crocodile, many varieties of lizard, and the python and numerous other species of snakes. Eagles, falcons, vultures, parrots, peacocks, flamingoes, and hornbills are among the birds found here.

The main mineral resource of the island is petroleum, found primarily in Brunei and along the east coast near Balikpapan. Other minerals include coal, gold, copper, tin, iron, manganese, antimony, bauxite, gypsum, marble, rock salt, mercury, diamonds, and sulphur. Agricultural products include rice, millet, maize, manioc, sweet potatoes, yams, sugar cane, cucumbers, pumpkin, and tropical fruits. Such products as rubber, coconuts, tobacco, manila hemp, pepper, coffee, cinnamon, and camphor are cultivated for export.