Limbang River
| Limbang | |
|---|---|
 Limbang
|
|
| Coordinates: 4°45′33″N 115°00′24″E / 4.75917°N 115.00667°ECoordinates: 4°45′33″N 115°00′24″E / 4.75917°N 115.00667°E | |
| Country |
 Malaysia
|
| State |
 Sarawak
|
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 42,600 |
Limbang is a border town and the capital of Limbang District in the Limbang Division of northern Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. The division has an area of 3,978.1 square kilometres, and a population (year 2000 census) of 42,600.
Limbang is located on the banks of the Limbang River (Sungai Limbang in Malay), between the two halves of Brunei. It is a 30-minute speedboat ride or at least a two-hour drive (depending on how busy the Customs/Immigration Checkpoint is) to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.
The Limbang District, which today is part of Sarawak, was originally part of the Sultanate of Brunei following the founding of the Bruneian Empire and remained so until the reign of Sultan Hashim. However, it was only after the signing of the Treaty of Protection of 1888 that Brunei lost control over the territory. This treaty eventually did not save Brunei from foreign intervention because the British did not prevent Charles Brooke from seizing Limbang in 1890. In 1901 and 1902, Brooke and Hewett asked Sultan Hashim to cede Belait and Tutong to them but Sultan Hashim refused and said, “What would happen to me, my chiefs and my descendants? I should be left like a tree, stripped of branches and twigs”.
Limbang economic importance was realised from the 15th century until now. When Limbang was still under the rule of Brunei, Limbang was considered as the "Rice Bowl" of Brunei as Limbang was a major producer and supplier of sago and rice to Brunei. Its economic importance was also one of the reason why Limbang was seized by Rajah Charles Brooke of Sarawak.
Limbang is served by the Limbang Airport.
Owing to its geographical location, Limbang is completely cut off from the rest of Sarawak's road network. It however has good road links to both parts of Brunei located to the east and west of the district. There is also a good local network of roads in the district.
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Wikipedia