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The state capital of Sabah is Kota
Kinabalu. It is a relatively new town as most of its original
buildings were destroyed during World War II. Only the north-eastern
corner of the town remained and is known as 'Old KK' among the locals
today. Sabah - Land Below the
Wind - Often called the 'Land Below the Wind' because it lies below
the typhoon belt, Sabah occupies the eastern part of North Borneo and
is East Malaysia's second largest state with an area of 74,500sq.km
Sabah has the South China Sea on the
west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas on the east with a total coastline
of some 1,440 km. Sabah is
mountainous with lush tropical rainforests. Its population of nearly
two million is made up of 32 colourful ethnic communities
Kota Kinabalu, the capital, is a fertile
lowland plain where most commercial and administrative activity is
concentrated.
It is the eastern gateway to Malaysia
with direct air links to Brunei, Hong Kong, the Philippines,
Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan
THE PEOPLE
The three main indigenous groups of
Sabah are the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut and Bajau. The Kadazan-Dusun make
up one third of the population and live in the interior plains. They
are mainly padi farmers though many have ventured into other trades.
The padi harvesting, an important ritual, is accompanied by religious
rites presided over by female priestesses called a bobohizan
The Murut, who live in the interior
region near the borders of Sarawak and Kalimantan, are farmers and
hunters. Many of them still stay in longhouses. Murut weddings are
elaborate affairs lasting for days. Everyone is welcome to these
weddings The Bajau, who make up
the second largest indigenous group, live mainly on the east and west
coasts. East coast Bajau are sea nomads, coming ashore only to sell
their fish catches. The west coast Bajau are farmers and are noted for
their skilled horsemanship. These handsomely attired 'Cowboys of the
East' add a distinctively Sabahan touch to local festivities
Economy - Sabah's economy depends on
agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and tourism. Exports include palm
oil, cocoa beans, rubber, timber and crude petroleum

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