Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8000 BC
Rising sea levels at the end of the last ice age submerge much of the Sundaland contin-
ental plate, transforming Borneo into the world's third-largest island.
1st century AD
Chinese and Indian traders detour to Borneo. By AD 500, Chinese are settling in
coastal present-day West Kalimantan.
600s-1200s
Sumatra's Hindu-Buddhist Srivijaya kingdom dominates Southeast Asia's sea trade.
Under Srivijaya, ethnic Malays immigrate to Borneo.
1445
Islam becomes the state religion of Melaka, Srivijaya's successor as Southeast Asia's
trading power. Merchants spread a predominantly tolerant, mild form of Sunni Islam
that accommodates existing traditions.
1511
Portugal conquers Melaka in a bid to control the spice trade. Brunei succeeds Melaka
as Southeast Asia's leading Islamic kingdom and trading centre.
1610
The Dutch build a diamond-trading post in Sambas, West Kalimantan, beginning more
than 300 years of Dutch interest in Kalimantan and its natural resources.
1824
The Anglo-Dutch Treaty divides the region into spheres of influence. The Dutch are
granted Kalimantan but are preoccupied with Sumatra and Java.
1841
After helping the sultan of Brunei's emissary suppress an uprising, Englishman James
Brooke becomes first White Rajah of Sarawak.
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