# British North Borneo

> former British protectorate, nowadays transformed as Sabah

**Wikidata**: [Q1147441](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1147441)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Borneo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/british-north-borneo

## Summary
British North Borneo was a British protectorate established in 1882, later transformed into the modern-day Malaysian state of Sabah. It was a crown colony with Kota Kinabalu as its capital and English as its official language. The protectorate dissolved in 1963, marking the end of British rule in the region.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: 1882 (established as a British protectorate).
- **Dissolved**: 1963 (end of British rule).
- **Area**: 761,152 square kilometers.
- **Population**: 285,000 (1936), 67,062 (1891 census).
- **Capital**:
  - Kota Kinabalu (1946–1963).
  - Sandakan (1884–1945).
  - Kudat (1881–1884).
- **Currency**:
  - British North Borneo dollar (pre-1953).
  - Malaya and British Borneo dollar (1953 onward).
- **Anthem**: *God Save the King*.
- **Official Language**: English.
- **Instance of**: Protectorate, former administrative territorial entity, country, historical country.
- **Replaced by**: North Borneo.
- **Shares border with**: United States of Indonesia.
- **Coordinates**: 5.25° N, 117° E.
- **Aliases**: Colony of North Borneo, State of British North Borneo, British Territories in Borneo, NBO, British Borneo Territories, North Borneo, Borneo del Norte, État de Bornéo du Nord, Colonie de Bornéo du Nord, Sarawak occidental, Sabah, Territoires britanniques de Bornéo, British North Borneo, Nord-Borneo, Britisch-Nordborneo, イギリス保護国北ボルネオ, ボルネオ島北部, イギリス領北ボルネオ, 英屬北婆羅洲, 北婆羅乃, 英屬婆羅洲, Bornéu Setentrional.
- **Wikipedia Title**: North Borneo.
- **Commons Gallery**: British North Borneo.
- **IOC Country Code**: NBO.
- **PM20 Geo Code**: B80, B81.
- **Different from**: North Kalimantan.
- **Located in/on**: Borneo.
- **Described by source**: Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary.

## FAQs
**What was British North Borneo?**
British North Borneo was a British protectorate established in 1882, later transformed into the Malaysian state of Sabah. It was a crown colony with Kota Kinabalu as its capital and English as its official language.

**When was British North Borneo established?**
British North Borneo was established as a British protectorate in 1882.

**What was the capital of British North Borneo?**
The capital of British North Borneo was Kota Kinabalu (1946–1963), followed by Sandakan (1884–1945) and Kudat (1881–1884).

**What was the currency of British North Borneo?**
The currency of British North Borneo was the British North Borneo dollar (pre-1953) and later the Malaya and British Borneo dollar (1953 onward).

**What was the anthem of British North Borneo?**
The anthem of British North Borneo was *God Save the King*.

**What was the official language of British North Borneo?**
The official language of British North Borneo was English.

**What borders British North Borneo?**
British North Borneo shares a border with the United States of Indonesia.

**What is British North Borneo known as today?**
British North Borneo is now known as Sabah, a state in Malaysia.

## Why It Matters
British North Borneo played a significant role in the colonial history of Borneo, serving as a British protectorate before becoming part of Malaysia. Its transformation into Sabah reflects broader geopolitical shifts in Southeast Asia, particularly the decolonization process following World War II. The region's cultural and economic development post-independence remains tied to its colonial past, influencing its identity and governance structures today.

## Notable For
- **First British Protectorate in Borneo**: British North Borneo was the first British protectorate established in the Borneo region.
- **Crown Colony Status**: It was a crown colony under British rule, with Kota Kinabalu as its capital.
- **Transformation into Sabah**: The protectorate was later transformed into the Malaysian state of Sabah.
- **English Official Language**: English served as the official language during British rule.
- **Anthem**: *God Save the King* was the national anthem of British North Borneo.
- **Currency**: The British North Borneo dollar was the primary currency before unification with Malaya.

## Body
### History
British North Borneo was established as a British protectorate in 1882, following the signing of the Treaty of Sandakan. The protectorate was initially administered from Sandakan before shifting to Kota Kinabalu in 1946. The region was a crown colony under British rule, with English as the official language. The protectorate dissolved in 1963, marking the end of British rule in the area.

### Geography
British North Borneo had an area of 761,152 square kilometers and shared borders with the United States of Indonesia. The region was located in the northern part of the island of Borneo.

### Demographics
The population of British North Borneo was 285,000 in 1936 and 67,062 in the 1891 census. The region had a diverse population, with English as the official language.

### Economy
The economy of British North Borneo was based on agriculture, including the production of rice, rubber, and oil. The region also had significant mineral resources, including coal and tin.

### Culture
British North Borneo had a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its colonial past. The region's cultural identity was shaped by its history as a British protectorate and its transformation into the Malaysian state of Sabah.

### Legacy
The legacy of British North Borneo is reflected in the cultural and political identity of Sabah today. The region's history as a British protectorate continues to influence its governance and development strategies. The transformation of British North Borneo into Sabah is a key example of the broader decolonization process in Southeast Asia.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Library of Congress
3. National Library of Australia
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://www-jstor-org.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/stable/2172726)
6. Quora
7. KBpedia