Borneo

Borneo is the third largest island in the world. It is shared by three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. Borneo has some of the oldest rainforests on Earth, estimated to be about 140 million years old. The island is home to orangutans, pygmy elephants, and thousands of unique plant species.

Land and People

About 22 million people live on Borneo. The island has tall mountains, including Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. The interior is covered in thick tropical rainforest. Rivers are important for transportation because much of the island has no roads.

Culture and Fun Facts

The Dayak people are the indigenous people of Borneo and once lived in longhouses that could hold an entire village. Orangutans, whose name means 'person of the forest,' live only on Borneo and Sumatra. The Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, grows in Borneo's forests. Sadly, deforestation threatens the island's wildlife.

Fun Facts

• Borneo's rainforests are about 140 million years old, making them some of the oldest on Earth.
• The Rafflesia flower found in Borneo can grow up to 3 feet wide and smells like rotting meat.
• Borneo is home to the proboscis monkey, which has the largest nose of any primate.

Did You Know?

The rainforests of Borneo are about 140 million years old, much older than the Amazon. These ancient forests are home to over 15,000 species of plants, 1,500 species of birds, and hundreds of mammals.