Sabah occupies the top portion of the island Borneo ( the third
largest island in the world) and covers an area of 74,500 sq km
(29,388 sq miles) with a coastline of about 1,440 km (about 900
miles) washed by the south China Sea on the West and the Sulu
Sea and Celebes Sea on the East.
Sabah lies between 4º and 8º North of the equator, and
its climate is tropical but pleasant. Sunny blue skies typify
most days and it is summer all year round. Though depending on
the month and locality, rain may cause a little inconvenience,
with the annual rainfall varying from 60 to 120 inches. As a general
guide the wet season falls between November and February. Fortunately,
Sabah does not experience any natural disaster or calamities.
In fact it is under the typhoon belt (thus the name "Land
Below The Wind") and is free from any climatic disturbances.
Temperatures seldom reach 90º F (33º C) and usually
vary during the day from 74º F to 88º F (23º C
to 31ºC) and are cooler on the mountains.
Sabah is a unique land, a melting pot of many indigenous and immigrant
groups. The population comprises
over 30 different races and over 80 different dialects, each group
having its own colourful culture, tradition, festival and customs.
The indigenous group include the Kadazan/Dusun, Bajau, Murut,
Rungus, Lotud, Brunei, Orang Sungei, Kadayan, Bisaya and many
other subgroups. The Chinese form the largest non-indigenous group.
The main groups and their 'adat' (cultural observances) are highlighted
here.
Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to the rest of Sabah, is also the State
Capital. Kota Kinabalu or K.K. as it is usually called, is relatively new town as the
original town was destroyed during the Second World War.
More information on Sabah:
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/malaysia/malaysia_sabah.htm
