Kalimantan, region of Indonésie on the island of Borneo

Kalimantan is a region of Indonésie located on the island of Borneo, shared between Indonésie, the small state of Brunei and Malaysia. It covers 73% of the island's territory, or two-thirds of its area. Surrounded by Sulawesi to the east, Java to the south, Malaysia to the west and the Philippines to the north, Borneo covers 743,330 km².

This makes it the world's fourth largest island, after Australia, Greenland and New Guinea. The island is home to over 18 million inhabitants. These people generally live in the coastal regions of Borneo. The island has always been an important strategic point in maritime trade history, as it notably provides access to China.

Kalimantan is divided into five provinces: Kalimantan Utara (North), Barat (West), Tengah (Central), Timur (East) and Selatan (South). The most important cities in the region are: Pontianak, Ketapang, Banjarmasin, Palangkaraya and Samarinda.

For transportation, the main communication routes in the region remain its rivers and waterways, hence the nickname Kalimantan which is known as the "island of a thousand rivers". Its landscapes are predominantly composed of tropical forests and jungles.

The region possesses numerous natural and geological riches such as oil, gas, diamonds, coal, ebony, and more.

The cultural and ethnic richness of Kalimantan

Several ethnic groups coexist in Kalimantan, notably the Chinese, Malays/Indonesians, the Dayak and the Punan. The main religion remains Christianity, strongly influenced by animistic customs and traditions of its practitioners. However, a minority of the population remains animist or Muslim.

The Dayak, former headhunters, continue to live in harmony with their traditions and many visitors travel to Dayak Country to witness their rituals and gain insight into their way of life.

Kalimantan is also renowned for its incredible biodiversity. Borneo is home to numerous animal species endemic to the island and is notably famous for its orangutans. You'll find the clouded leopard, the crab-eating macaque, the tarsier and over six hundred species of birds. The jungle covers the majority of the territory and thus provides ideal conditions for the development of fauna and flora.

It is therefore possible to visit numerous national parks, including the Tanjung Puting centre dedicated to the protection of orangutans. Kalimantan can prove to be a true paradise for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. For example, the island of Derawan offers excellent diving spots, perfect for discovering the underwater wealth of Borneo.