# Sandakan

> city in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

**Wikidata**: [Q137203](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137203)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandakan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sandakan

## Summary
Sandakan is a large city in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia, founded in 1658. It serves as the capital of British North Borneo and is located in the Sandakan Division. The city has a population of 396,290 (as of 2010) and covers an area of 2,266,239,596 square meters.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Large human settlement (city)
- **Founded**: 1658
- **Location**: Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
- **Capital of**: British North Borneo
- **Population (2010)**: 396,290
- **Area**: 2,266,239,596 square meters
- **Coordinates**: 5.83878° N, 118.11729° E
- **Timezone**: UTC+08:00
- **Postal codes**: 90000–90999
- **Local dialing code**: 089
- **Elevation**: 10 meters above sea level
- **Aliases**: Elopura
- **Official website**: [http://www.mps.sabah.gov.my/](http://www.mps.sabah.gov.my/) (in Malay)
- **Geonames ID**: 1734052
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 3ac5f008-8f2c-4f32-8ca4-d2c54b8b746f
- **Wikipedia languages**: Available in 29 languages, including English, Malay, and Chinese
- **Seal image**: [Official logo of Sandakan Municipal Council](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sandakan_Municipal_Council_official_logo.svg)
- **Page banner**: [View from Harbour Mall](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sandakan_Sabah_ViewFromHarbourMall_(cropped).jpg)

## FAQs
**What is the significance of Sandakan in Malaysian history?**
Sandakan was the capital of British North Borneo and played a key role in the region's colonial administration. Its strategic location in Borneo made it a significant hub for trade and governance.

**How large is Sandakan in terms of population and area?**
Sandakan has a population of 396,290 (as of 2010) and covers an area of 2,266,239,596 square meters, making it a substantial urban center in Sabah.

**What are the postal codes for Sandakan?**
Sandakan uses postal codes ranging from 90000 to 90999 for its local mail services.

**How can I contact the local government of Sandakan?**
The official website of the Sandakan Municipal Council is [http://www.mps.sabah.gov.my/](http://www.mps.sabah.gov.my/), which provides information in Malay.

**What is the timezone of Sandakan?**
Sandakan operates on UTC+08:00, aligning with Malaysia's standard time.

## Why It Matters
Sandakan is a critical urban center in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia, with a rich history as the capital of British North Borneo. Its strategic location and economic significance have made it a key player in the region's development. The city's population and infrastructure reflect its role as a major administrative and commercial hub in the state.

## Notable For
- **Historical Significance**: Served as the capital of British North Borneo, shaping its colonial and administrative history.
- **Urban Development**: A large human settlement with a population of 396,290 and an extensive area of 2,266,239,596 square meters.
- **Cultural Hub**: Known for its diverse cultural influences and strategic location in Borneo.
- **Administrative Role**: Manages local governance through the Sandakan Municipal Council, as evidenced by its official seal and website.

## Body
### History
Sandakan was founded in 1658 and later became the capital of British North Borneo, playing a pivotal role in the region's colonial administration. Its historical significance is reflected in its governance structures and cultural heritage.

### Geography
Located in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia, Sandakan has coordinates of 5.83878° N, 118.11729° E, and an elevation of 10 meters above sea level. It is part of the Sandakan Division and covers a vast area of 2,266,239,596 square meters.

### Demographics
With a population of 396,290 (as of 2010), Sandakan is a large urban center in Sabah. The city's demographics are shaped by its historical and economic development.

### Governance
Sandakan is governed by the Sandakan Municipal Council, as indicated by its official seal and website. The council manages local administration and services for the city.

### Infrastructure
The city's infrastructure includes postal services (90000–90999) and a local dialing code (089). It also has a strategic location in Borneo, making it a key economic and administrative hub.

### Cultural and Media Presence
Sandakan's cultural presence is reflected in its Wikipedia availability in 29 languages, including English, Malay, and Chinese. The city's media presence is supported by its official website and various identifiers, such as the MusicBrainz Area ID.

### Visual Representation
Sandakan is visually represented by images such as the view from Harbour Mall and its official municipal council logo, which are available on Wikimedia Commons.

### Identification and Classification
Sandakan is classified as a city and a big city, with identifiers including the Geonames ID (1734052) and the MusicBrainz Area ID (3ac5f008-8f2c-4f32-8ca4-d2c54b8b746f). These identifiers help in its classification and recognition in various databases.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. MusicBrainz
3. GeoNames
4. KBpedia