The total population of Borneo is about 20 million. This is a very small number bearing in mind that Borneo is the third largest island in the world. Kalimantan has the largest population, followed by Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.
Borneo is very rich in terms of its flora and fauna. It is estimated that the plant species found in Borneo rival those found in Africa and are more than those in Europe. It is here in Borneo that are found carnivorous plants, rafflesia which is the largest flower in the world and trees that grow up to 200 feet in height (60 meters). There are some 5,000 species of flowering plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The same goes for the number of orchids.
It was alleged at one time in the past that some tourists from a developed country in the north smuggled some species of wild orchids from Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, propagated them and sold them in the world market. Whether this was true or not, no one came forward to make any clarification or denial.
It has been said that a Sabah Park ranger once fined a tourist RM1,000 for stealing an orchid. This could have been a 'Rothchild's Slipper Orchid. (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum)' called 'Sumazau Orchid' by the locals. This was before laws were enacted. A stem of this orchid is estimated to be worth US$5,000 in the black market.
It has also been said that "10 square kilometre's of Sabah's rain forest has more flora and fauna than North America and Europe combined." Sabah's Kinabatangan can rival the great Amazon.
Surely, Kalimantan offers a lot more to visitors once the whole area had been explored. The vast area must be holding secrets waiting to be discovered by the adventurous.
Visitors will discover that Borneo's riches also lies in its varied culture. With the completion of the Borneo Pan-Highway people will be able to travel easily between places anywhere in Borneo.
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