Sabah is one of the larger states in Malaysia and lies on the northern part of Borneo Island. Once a British Crown Colony, this vast fertile mountainous land gained independence to join the Federation of Malaya. The state's capital city is Kota Kinabalu which lies on the western coast of the state. Other towns such as Sandakan and Tawau are located along the state's coastline, right up to its eastern shores, which faces the Sulu and Celebes seas.
Some Important Tourist Info
Malaysia has 13 states, eleven on the Peninsula (West Malaysia) and two, Sabah & Sarawak, on the island of Borneo (East Malaysia). The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, and the new administrative centre is in Putrajaya.
Climate Warm : tropical climate.
Clothing & Dress Code : Clothing made of cotton and other natural fibres are more suitable. In terms of dress codes, Malaysians wear almost similar clothing style as Europeans & Americans, although modesty is observed.
Language : Bahasa Malaysia is the official language but English is widely spoken.
Currency : The Malaysian unit of currency is the Ringgit Malaysia (RM), which is divided into 100 cents. Currency comes in notes of RM 1, RM5, RM10, RM50 & RM100. Coins are issued in 1 Cent, 5 cent, 10, 20 & 50 cent denominations. All currencies brought into and out of the country must be declared using the Travellers Declaration Form, which can be obtained from entry and exit points in Malaysia. By regulation, non residents are allowed to bring in and out of the country not more than RM1000 at any given time but foreign currencies are not regulated. All commercial banks are authorised foreign exchange dealers.
Time Zone : GMT/UTC +8, which means, eight hours ahead of GMT, sixteen hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time & 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Electricity & Voltage : Electricity supply is on a 240-volt AC at 50 cycles per second. Visitors from countries using different electricity voltage systems are advised to bring their converters and adaptors.
SABAH - LAND BELOW THE WIND Sabah, fondly known as the Land Below the Wind, is blessed with the excellent natural wonders of its islands, beaches, coral reefs, rivers, wetlands, forests and mountains, rich with outstanding biodiversity. Also known as the land of eco-treasures, it has become a main favourite of adventure enthusiasts from around the world, with the highest mountains in South East Asia and the best dive spots in the world. A little Basics- Where are we ? Sabah lies in the northern tip of Borneo Island, the third largest in the world. Sabah was named "Land Below The Wind" by maritime traders in ancient days because it lies below the typhoon belt. Comprising an area of 74,500 sq. km. (29,399 sq.miles) of mountainous terrain intersected by fast-flowing and meandering rivers, Sabah's shores are washed by the warm waters of South China Sea on the west coast and the Sulawesi Sea on the east coast. Sabah is blessed by nature with plentiful sunshine and rain making the whole state lush carpet of greenery. Daily temperatures range from 74F to 90F (23-33C) with cooler weather up in the mountains. There is no marked wet season although the northeast trade winds (Nov to April) bring more rain than usual to the East Coast while the southwest trade winds (May to October) bring rain to the West Coast. What about the people ? Sabah is a unique land, with over 30 different indigenous groups speaking more than 80 languages and dialects. Among them are the Kadazan-Dusun who settled mostly on Sabah's West Coast, the Bajau and their kindred groups who settled further inland. All these diverse indigenous groups live harmoniously in an exciting blend of cultures, traditions, festivals and customs.The largest ethnic group, the Kadazan Dusun, make up about a third of the population. Interesting Fact about the Kadazan Dusun? They are well known for their unique customs that feature female priestesses called "bobohizan" who perform traditional dances. This annual dance, which is done in a trance, is believed to be in search of spirits during May, the month of "Tadau Kaamatan"/Harvest Festival. There are a few cultural villages that provide opportunities to observe the traditional life of Sabah's indigenous people and can be reached within a few hours drive from the capital city, Kota Kinabalu. Traditional handcrafted houses, a hanging bridge, farming and processing implements, ritual paraphernalia, handicrafts, music and dance highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Kadazan Dusun in these villages. A must see is the House of Skulls where 42 ancient human skulls hang from the ceiling as "trophies"!
