SARA'WAK, a kingdom on the n.w. coast of Borneo, is bounded a. and w. by Sambas• e. by Brunai, and n. by the bight of Datu. The coast stretches from the w. of cape Datti, in 1.Lt. 2° n. and long. 109' 55' e., to the e. of the river Satnerallan, in long. 111° 3' e., a distance of nearly 70 miles. Area, 3,000 sq. miles. Pop. 50,000. The Sarawak is the most important river; it has two navigable mouths, the ot:e entering the bight of Data in lat. 1° 42' 30" n., and long. 110° 20' e.; the other, a few miles further to the east, Other considerabla rivers arc the Rejang (navigable for 120 m. for vessels of more than 1000 tons), the 1.0111111, Sameralian, and Sadarig. A chain of mountains, 3,000 ff. in height, rises in Sarawak, and, with increasing elevation, tends toward the n.; while others are detached, as flue Samerahans. and the steel), densely•wooded Lamb'. Sandstone and granite arc the prevailing rocks; porphyries, basalt, and quartzose sehists also occurring. In some parts the soil is clayey ; in others, it is a rich mold. With the exception of some cultivated spats, the surface is covered with forests, which abound with wild swine, harts, and a variety of monkeys. There is excellent coal near the river Sadang. Anti mony ore, which can be both easily worked and shipped, is obtainable in any quantity; copper and gold have been found, and iron ore is plentiful at LtIndu. Fine timber trees, as iron-wood, ebony, sandal-wood, teak, and other sorts peculiarly adapted for shipbuilding, grow on the lands near the mouths of the rivers. Overtopping them all is the tall camphor tree (dryobatunops aromatica), from which, by incision, the valuable camphor-oil is obtained; or by felling and splitting the wood, the crystallized camphor, which is prized above that produced in any other part of Asia.
The climate is net considered unhealthy. Much rain falls from September to March, and the thermometer usually indicates about 83° F. Edible nests, wax, and aromatic
woods are collected by the Dyaks for the Singapore market, and the plains arc well adapted for the growth of rice and sago. In 1862 two cargoes of choice timber for ship building were sent to the royal dockyards of Great Britain, and more attention is now being paid to that natural source of wealth. In 1871 the exports, the chief articles of which were gutta-percha. sago flour, antimony ore, and edible birds' nests, amounted to £280,000; and the imports, chiefly gray and colored skirtings, tobacco, brass-ware, opium, rice, and cocoa-nut oil, amounted to £315,000. The exportation of antimony and sale of opium are monopolized by the government, and with a small head-tax, form the chief revenue.
The original inhabitants are Dyaks, divided into some 20 tribes, and speaking differ ent dialects; they are, for savages, mild, industrious, and honest. Malays live on the coast, and the mines are worked by Chinese. From 1841 to 1868 Sarawak was governed by sir James Brooke (q.v.), as an independent rajah appointed by the sultan of Borneo, in return for distinguiShed services in putting down rebellion and restoring order; and even on the testimony of the Dutch, who view with extreme jealousy the increased influ ence of the British on that coast, his rule has done much to promote the civilization and prosperity of his people.
The seat of government is the town of Sarawak, formerly called NEttjing, near the mouth of the river; which is navigable for large ships. Mission-stations and schools have been erected, and the population has increased to 25,000. Trade, which has multi plied tenfold since sir J. Brooke was appointed rajah, is principally carried on with Singapore.