Beaufort | Beluran | Keningau | Kinabatangan | Kota Belud | Kota Kinabalu | Kota Marudu | Kuala Penyu | Kudat | Kunak | Lahad Datu | Nabawan | Papar | Penampang | Pitas | Ranau | Sandakan | Semporna | Sipitang | Tambunan | Tawau | Tenom | Tuaran

Sandakan Location Sandakan is situated on the East coast of Sabah. On its west is the interior mountain ranges and on the east is the Sulu Sea. History and Introduction Sandakan began in the early 1870's as three small villages in the coastal region. The name "Sandakan" is from an old Sulu word meaning "The place that was pawned"; the reason for this is unknown. Photo: Y.M.Kung The town was known as "Elopura", which means 'the beautiful place", for more than 200 years before it was given the name Sandakan. Developed by the British Chartered Company about a hundred years ago, it developed and grew quickly as one of the largest settlements in North Borneo (Sabah). The reason for its rapid growth was due to the many - in fact as many as 43 - commodities that could be exported in the late 19th Century. Sandakan was once the capital because of its bright prospects and the need for an administrative centre on the East coast. The port was important for the lucrative tobacco, cocoa, coffee, manila hemp and sago exports. Even before the advent of the tractors and chain saws the timber industry boomed as early as 1890s. In the mid 1930s, Sandakan's timber export reached the record figure of 180,000 cu m, making it the largest timber exporting port of tropical wood in the world. Vital Population Statistics (1991 census) Total population: 222,817 Female population: 108,576 Male population: 114,241   Malay Population: 14,922 Dusun Population: 1,480 Kadazan Population: 6,696 Bajau Population: 20,201 Murut Population: 243 Other Bumiputera Population: 35,252 Chinese Population: 45,637 Indonesian Population: 24,445 Other Non-Bumiputera Population: 6,235   Total Malaysian Citizen Population: 155,384 Non-Malaysian Citizen Population: 67,433   distribution of Population: 12.9% Population Density: 98 per Sq. Km Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sabah, 1999 ^ Top Of Page

Semporna Location Semporna is in the Tawau Division and is situated on the South Eastern coast of Sabah. The interior mountain ranges stand on its west and the Celebes Sea on its east. General Information Semporna was founded not long after the British established Sandakan. The name 'Semporna,' means 'a place of rest,' and was given after the British overcame resistance from the local Bajaus in the mid 1880s. Resistance from factions of seafaring Bajaus continued and created great concern to the British rulers. Several acts of forced order were recorded. Rules were made to try to stop the mobility of Bajaus. Some settled down then, but some eventually lived on shore, in houses on stilts and became the Sea Bajaus. Traditional timber boats with elaborate carvings can still be found today. Chinese traders played an important role in building up the economy of this isolated town off the south-east coast of Sabah. Marine products are still the main source of livelihood for the local inhabitants. The Kaya Pearl Farm started in 1963 covers thousands of hectares, and produces a wide range of pearls for local and international market. Vital Population Statistics (1991 census) Total population: 91,828 Female population: 44,614 Male population: 47,214   Malay Population: 1,657 Dusun Population: 91 Kadazan Population: 307 Bajau Population: 42,156 Murut Population: 23 Other Bumiputera Population: 5,309 Chinese Population: 1,149 Indonesian Population: 3,587 Other Non-Bumiputera Population: 556   Total Malaysian Citizen Population: 54,835 Non-Malaysian Citizen Population: 36,993   distribution of Population: 5.3% Population Density: 80 per Sq. Km Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sabah, 1999 ^ Top Of Page

Sipitang Location Sipitang is situated in the Interior Division, the south-western part of the state. On the west, it is facing the South China Sea.

Vital Population Statistics (1991 census) Total population: 24,349 Female population: 11,150 Male population: 13,199   Malay Population: 3,332 Dusun Population: 969 Kadazan Population: 1,414 Bajau Population: 460 Murut Population: 2,355 Other Bumiputera Population: 8,545 Chinese Population: 1,302 Indonesian Population: 1,646 Other Non-Bumiputera Population: 577   Total Malaysian Citizen Population: 20,600 Non-Malaysian Citizen Population: 3,749 %   distribution of Population: 1.4% Population Density: 9 per Sq. Km Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sabah, 1999 ^ Top Of Page

Tambunan Location Tambunan is situated in the Interior Division, the south- western part of the state. Vital Population Statistics (1991 census) Population: 180 Murut Population: 83 Other Bumiputera Population: 439 Chinese Population: 283 Indonesian Population: 122 Other Non-Bumiputera Population: 63 Total Malaysian Citizen Population: 19,072 Non-Malaysian Citizen Population: 654 % distribution of Population: 1.1% Population Density: 15 per Sq. Km Total population: 19,726 Female population: 9,673 Male population: 10,053   Malay Population: 272 Dusun Population: 17,086 Kadazan Population: 544 Bajau Population: 180 Murut Population: 83 Other Bumiputera Population: 439 Chinese Population: 283 Indonesian Population: 122 Other Non-Bumiputera Population: 63   Total Malaysian Citizen Population: 19,072 Non-Malaysian Citizen Population: 654%   distribution of Population: 1.1% Population Density: 15 per Sq. Km Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sabah, 1999 ^ Top Of Page