Borneo
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Borneo. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) an island, next to Australia and Papua, the largest in the world, is situated in the Indian Archipelago, in 7° 3′ N.-4° 10' S. lat., and 108° 53′- 119° 22′ E. long. It is bounded on the E. by the Sea of Celebes and the Macassar Strait, S. by the Sea of Java, W. and N. by the Gulf of Siam and the China Sea. Its length is about 800 miles, with a breadth of 700, and an area of about 284,000 square miles. Topography. The coasts, which are often low and marshy, and rendered dangerous to navigation by numerous islets and rocks, present no deep indenpierced by nutations, though they they are merous small bays an and creeks. A great part of the island must be described as rises the mountainous. In the far N. magnificent structure of Kinabalu (13,- 698 feet high), the culminating peak probably of the whole Indian Archipelago, and not unworthy in its picturesquethe ness of such a rank. Throughout narrow northern portion of the island there runs a kind of central ridge in a highest general S. W. direction, with points ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 feet; and this can be traced, at least as a water parting, far to the S. W. So far as is known the mountain framework of the whole island consists, like Kinabalu, of eruptive and crystalline rocks of high antiquity. Of modern volcanic activity, so prevalent elsewhere in the Indian Archipelago, there is, in Borneo, no trace either in tradition or in the record of the rocks. A large portion of the surface, not covered by alluvium, consists of tertiary deposits, in regard to the age of which, however, geologists are not agreed. Though there are many powerful streams, navigable far inland for boats of considerable burden, their value as waterways is lessened by the bars which usually prevent the entrance of sea-going vessels, and in their upper reaches by frequent rapids and occasional waterfalls. In connection with the river systems there are numerous lakes in Borneo; but of true mountain lakes on a large scale there are probably few. Climate and Productions. - The climate in the low grounds is humid, hot, and unhealthful for Europeans; but in the higher parts toward the N. the tempergenerally moderate, the therature is mometer at noon varying from 81° to 91° F. During the rainy season, from November to May, heavy storms of wind with loud thunder are experienced on the W. coast. The influence of the land and sea breezes passes inland to quite remarkable distances across the level plains and up the river valleys. Vegetation is extremely luxuriant. The forests produce ironwood, bilian, teak, ebony, sandalwood, gutta percha, dye woods, benzoin, wax, dragon's blood, sago, various resins, vegetable oils, and gums. The camphor of Bruneï is the best in Asia. The mohor tree, well adapted for making native boats, attains a height of 80, and the kaladang, suited for large masts, of 200 feet. Nutmegs, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, betel, ginger, rice, millet, sweet potatoes, yams, cotton in Amuntai, sugar cane in Sambas and Montrado, indigo, tobacco, coffee in Sambas, pineapples, cocoanuts, etc., are cultivated. The mountains and forests contain many monkeys, among which is the orang outang. Tapirs, a small kind of tiger, small Malay bears, swine, wild oxen or banteng, and various kinds of deer abound. The elephant is found only in the N., and the rhinoceros in the N. W. The few domesticated animals are buffaloes, sheep, goats, dogs , and cats. Fish is plentiful, and the coasts are rich in tortoises, pearl mussels, oysters, and trepang. Brilliant butterflies and moths are in great variety. Among the mineral products are coal , gold, and copper , especially in Montrado; antimony, iron, tin, platina, nickel, diamonds and other precious stones , rock crystals, porcelain clay, petroleum , and sulphur. The diamond mines are chiefly in Landak and Pontianak; Sambas produces the greatest quantity of gold; the kingdom of Bruneï, Kuteï, and Banjermassin , the largest amount of coal . The Pengaron coal field, worked by the Dutch Government , is one of the most important. The People. The population consists of three classes, the Dyaks or Dayaks, who are the aboriginal heathen inhabit ants, and constitute the great bulk of the population; the Mohammedans or Malays for this name is extended so as to include all professors of Islam, whether true Malays, Buginese, Javanese, Dyaks, or Arabs; and the Chinese. The Dyaks live chiefly in the interior, and employ ploy themselves with tillage and the collecting of gutta percha, resin, gums, ratans, gold dust , and wax. They are divided into numerous tribes. The Malays (taking the name ethnographically) dwell on the coasts, are traders and bold sailors. They are more civilized than the Dyaks , cultivate the grounds around their houses, lay out gardens, keep cattle, and live partly by fishing. The Chinese , chiefly from Canton, have penetrated far into the interior. They engage in trade and mining, are unwearied in their efforts to make money, and then return to their native country. They have always endeavored to live as independent republics (kong-si) under chiefs chosen by themselves, and according to Chinese laws. In 1857 the Chinese living in Sarawak rebelled, and were nearly exterminated. The Dutch were also compelled to put them down by force of arms, and have imposed a poll tax. The women of Borneo, except the Dyak, weave cotton fabrics, make earthenware, baskets, and mats of beautiful designs and colors. The principal ex- In the district of Banjermassin are factories of weapons. ports are gold, gold dust, diamonds, coal, ratans, gutta percha , edible nests, cotton, wax, timber, dye woods, mats, resins, sandalwood, camphor , etc.; the imports, earthenware, iron , steel, and copper work, piece goods , yarns, woolen and silk fabrics, medicines , provisions, wines, spirits, rice, sugar, ar, tea, tobacco, opium, trepang, gambir , gunpowder, etc. Political Divisions. - Borneo has never formed a political unity, and there is no native designation for the island as a whole. The name Borneo (Burneï or Brunei) in fact properly applies only to the Mala Malay kingdom on the N. W. coast; and Kalamantan or Kalamantin, sometimes quoted as a general appellation, is also of limited purport. The following are the present political divisions: (1) Brunei.- This originally included nearly the whole of the N. W. of the island. The Sultan has absolute authority. In 1847 he undertook not to surrender any of his territory to any other power without the sanction of the British Government. Capital, Bruneï, 20 miles from the coast, on the river of the same name. Pop. 25,000. Its area was reduced by the erection of (2) Sarawak into a practically independent principality by Sir James Brooke (1841-1868 ). (3) North Borneo. - This territory consists partly of a portion of the old kingdom of Brunei, partly also of districts on the E. coast, claimed by the Sultan of the Sulu Islands. Against the British occupation of the Sulu territory, a protest was made by Spain, which had for some time been gradually incorporating the Sultan's possessions . As a matter of fact, the British North Borneo Company has been successful in appropriating and developing its territory, which, with an area of 30,709 square miles, and a coast line of 900 miles, is now divided into the East Coast residency and the provinces of Dent , Keppel, and Alcock, and has its capital at Elopura or Sandakan , the largest settlement, with 5,000 inhabitants. The population of the territory is estimated at 500,000. (4) Dutch Possessions. - By far the largest part of the island is ruled directly or indirectly by the Dutch , who have divided it into the residency of the Western Division of Borneo, and that of the Southern and Eastern , the former having Pontianak as the seat of government, the latter Banjermassin. Besides a number of smaller dependencies, the Western Division contains the kingdom of Landak, Tayan, Mampawa, Sukadana, Simpang, Matan, Sekadow, Sintang, Sambas. Pop. about 450,000. States forming the Southern and Eastern Division are Kotaringin, Banjermassin, and Martapura. Pop. about 783,000. Chinese, Malays, etc., are forbidden to ascend the river higher than the Kanpore Pilany. The same is the case with the basins of the Kapuas Mururg, known as the Little Dyak district. The population of the whole of the Dutch portion of the island is about 1,280,000. (5) The Island of Labuan, off the coast of Brunei, has belonged to the British since 1846. The chief towns in Borneo are Sambas (10,000), Pontianak (9,000), Banjermassin (30,000), Brunei (20,000), and Kuching (12,000). History. The Chinese had commercial dealings with Borneo as early as the 5th century, but they made no settlement for a long time after. The Malay kingdom of Borneo proper dates back to the 13th century. Another Malay settlement of later origin, Sambas, was at first dependent on Johore in the Malay Peninsula. Sukadana was founded by Hindu Javanese from the kingdom of Majapahit (see JAVA), and spread its influence on the whole S. part of the W. coast. Mampawa was a Buginese settlement, and Pontianak was founded as late as 1771 by a colony of Arabs, Malays, and Buginese. Islam began to be preached by Arabs from Palembang in the 16th century. The Portuguese effected a settlement in 1690 at Banjermassin; from thence they were, however, soon expelled. The Dutch succeeded in concluding a treaty of commerce with the princes of Banjermassin. They erected a fort and factory in 1643, and a second in 1778 at Pontianak. The British made unsuccessful attempts in 1702 and 1774 to effect a settlement in Borneo, but, during the 19th century, they acquired a preponderating influence on the N. W. coast.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a large island southeast of Asia. It forms the southeast boundary of the China Sea, and lies neighbor to Java and Sumatra. If Australia be reckoned a continent, Borneo is the second island of the world in size. Its estimated area is 283,358 square miles, or three times that of the West Indies . The interior is mountainous, the highest peaks varying from 11,000 to 15,000 feet in height, quite equal to those of the Alps. The coast is about 3,000 miles in extent, and varies from mountain spurs that reach the sea to morasses of great extent. For boats of twelve-feet draft a score of rivers are navigable for 100 or 200 miles into the interior. It is thought that Borneo is an extension of the Malay Peninsula, and that the connecting land has sunk beneath the sea, just as the land formerly connecting England and France has sunk. The animals and plants of the island are like those of southeastern Asia. The forests yield teak, ebony, gutta-per-cha, sago, resins, oils, and gums. Nutmegs, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, ginger, rice, millet, cotton, indigo, sugar-cane, tobacco, coffee, sweet potatoes, yams, pineapples, cocoanuts, camphor, and betel nuts are among the productions. Collectors find Borneo rich in brilliant butterflies and moths. The swamps and waterways swarm with tortoises, lizards, frogs, and crocodiles. Fishes are abundant. Pigeons, parrots, pheasants, peacocks, ptarmigans, vultures, and eagles are found along the stream. The swift that builds the edible nest so prized in China is found here. The elephant, rhinoceros, Malay bear, monkey, tapir, wild boar, wild ox, deer, tiger, and orang-utan are found in the jungles. The mineral wealth of the island has not been developed fully. Coal, gold, copper, iron, tin, nickel, petroleum, sulphur, diamonds and other gems, and other mineral products have been found in considerable quantities. The interior portions of the country are inhabited by people known as Dyaks. They constitute the bulk of the people. They are heathen and live a savage life. The next element is Malay. The Malays are Mohammedans. They live near the coast and till the soil. Their women are expert in the weaving of handsome mats and in making cotton fabrics and baskets of beautiful design. The third element is Chinese who have settled in the country, chiefly for purposes of trade. In addition there are a few Europeans. Like Africa, Borneo has been parceled out by various foreign countries. The greater part of the island is held as a part of the Dutch East Indies . The British hold a tract in the north exceeding their own island in extent. Agriculture in the ordinary sense of the word has made little progress. The principal exports are therefore natural products, such as fruit, gold, coal, rattan, camphor, diamonds, gutta-percha, timber, dyewoods, and edible birds' nests. British North Borneo, as the British portion of the island is known, has an area of 31,106 square miles, and a population of about 160,000, chiefly Mohammedans on the coast, and natives in the interior. The territory is confided to the British North Borneo Company somewhat after the plan of the East India Company . The directors sit in London. Their acts are subject to revision by the British secretary of state . The direct management of affairs is intrusted to a resident governor. The core of the territory controlled by the company is a Malay kingdom governed by a nominal Mohammedan sultan. As a means of conciliating this element of the population he is paid a salary of $12,000 a year. The company maintains a number of trading posts. Brunei, the residence of the governor, is built out on piles into Brunei Bay. A railway 120 miles in length runs from Brunei to another point on the coast. A cable connects the island with the mainland and telephone lines connect the trading stations. Jungle produce is bought from the natives, much as similar trade is carried on in sections inhabited by American Indians. Agriculture has made little progress. A score or more plantations are engaged in raising tobacco, tapioca, sago, rubber, cocoanuts, and coffee. There are missions, both Protestant and Catholic. The Borneo Company mints copper, silver, and nickel coins, having the same names and values as American money. Paper money in denominations of one, five, ten, and twenty-five dollar bills, is issued. A limit of $400,000 is set by the British government. Accounts are kept in cents, dimes, and dollars. Trade is carried on chiefly through Hong Kong and Singapore. Connection is made at the latter port with ocean liners for London. Dutch Borneo, on the west and south coasts, is larger, but is less known. The Dutch protect over 200,000 square miles of territory, inhabited by tribes thought to number 1,200,000 persons. Trade is maintained with the natives by means of trading posts. Batavia, on the island of Java, is Dutch headquarters. The interior of the country is called the jungle. It is mountainous and heavily wooded. The trees are of great size and variety, furnishing fine timber for furniture and other purposes. The trees yielding camphor, gutta percha, sago, and India rubber are the most valuable, as they bring a large income to the natives. The lumber exported for 1907 was 1,112,831 cubic feet, valued at $294,405. There is no country in the world more inviting to the naturalist than Borneo. Here are found the flying squirrels, flying foxes, flying lizards, flying frogs, and the natives report flying snakes. Among the most noted birds is the little swift Collocaha Nidifica. Their nests are eaten by the Chinese, and are regarded as a great luxury. These birds build their nests in limestone caves, of a glutinous saliva which they produce from their glands; no sticks or any other foreign substances are used. The collection of these nests is an important industry with the natives, though they pay a tax on all they take to market. The value of those exported from British North Borneo in 1907 was $35,924. They are served at the great feasts of the Chinese, especially at weddings.-Consular Report. 2026 Editor's Note: Borneo is now split among Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, and its great rainforest — the only home of the orangutan — has been among the fastest-vanishing on earth, cleared for timber and palm oil. Roughly half the island's forest cover has gone since this entry was written, and the loss is a central case in the global argument over tropical forests. (Ed: BR 2026-07-04)