The Land of a Thousand Rivers

South Borneo lies at the southern end the island and is one of four provinces on Borneo.

This region is known as the “Land of A Thousand Rivers.”

Big and small rivers, wide swaps and lowlands are characteristics of this southern province. Some of those rivers, such as the Barito, Martapura and Negara mark the boundary between South Borneo and the neighboring province of Central Borneo.

The eastern regions are grown with dense tropical rain forests and covered mountainous sparsely inhabited territory. The southern region is a coastal plain, lined by vast mangrove forests. This coastal area is rich in fresh and salt-water fishes.

Those three regions are practically separated from each other by the Meratus mountain which spread from the north to the south through the center of the province. Many, village, plantations lie along the Barito river

Big and small rivers, wide

Swamps and lowlands are

Characteristics of this southern province.

Course, which runs from the north to the south

The Barito River 

The provincial capital is Banjarmasin.

Like most other regions in Indonesia, South Borneo has two seasons, a dry and a rainy. The rainy season lasts from October to April, and dry season from May to September. The average monthly temperature is between 25^o and 28^o centigrade.

The average sunshine is about 36 percent during the rainy season, and 91 percent during the dry.

South Borneo covers an area of about 37,000 square kilometers and has a population of about three million according to an official count made in 1988.

The province is divided into nine regencies: Banjar (capital Martapura), Baritokuala (Marabahan), Hulu Sungai Selatan (Kandangan), Baru (Kotabaru), Hulu Sungai Tengah (Berabai), Hulu Sungai Utara (Amuntai), Tabalong (Tanjung), Taanah Laut (Pelaihari), Tapin (Rantau), plus the township of Banjarbaru.

The population of South Kalimantan consists of two main groups: the Banjar who live along the coasts and make up the majority, and the Dayaks who inhabit the upstream regions of the rivers. There are also a small number of newcomers. The Banjar, again, are divided 

The Banjar, again, are divided into several sub-groups, such as the Banjar Kuala, Banjar Pahuluan, Banjar Batang Banyu, Berangas, Bakumpai, Maanyan, Abal, Denyah, Lawangan, and Bukit.

Into several sub groups, such as the Banjar Kuala, Banjar Pahuluan, Banjar Batang Banyu, Berangas, Bakumpai, Maanyan, Abal, Denyah, Lawangan and Bukit. Among the newcomers are Bugis, Javanese, Chinese, Madurans, Banjau and Mandarese. The over-whelming majority of the population are Moslems (98 percent). Others are Catholics, Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists, and adherents of the old indigenous belief of Kaharingan.

The Banjar people are devout Moslems. They are friendly, like to help one another, and have a good sense of humor. They also are tolerant of other religions and respect one another.

The friendly attitude of the Banjar, and their hospitality, tend to put visitors immediately felt at home in their midst. The daily languages spoken by the Banjar people are basically Malay and Indonesian although in a distinct local dialect.