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Kuching
Kuching, Sarawak/Malaysia Sarawak Named in 1872 by Charles Brooke (1829–1917), the second White Rajah and nephew of the first Sir James Brooke, a British adventurer who helped to suppress a local rebellion and was rewarded by being given authority over the territory and the title of White Rajah of Sarawak (1841–63). He had founded the town from a group of attap huts in 1839. Possibly because the place was infested with cats at the time it was called Kuching from the Malay kucing ‘cat’; or because of a common tree whose fruit, mata kuching, resembles cats' eyes. Another plausible explanation is that the name is derived from the Chinese kochin ‘harbour’, the city‐port lying on the Sarawak River. It was originally named Sarawak after the river around which an area of some 3 000 square miles (7 770 sq km) of jungle was given to James Brooke in 1841.
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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kuching." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kuching." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Kuching.html JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kuching." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Kuching.html |
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Sarawak
Sarawak Largest state of Malaysia, in nw Borneo, comprising a highland interior and swampy coastal plain; the capital is Kuching City. Ruled as an independent state by Britain after 1841, it was made a British Protectorate in 1888 and a Crown Colony in 1946. Sarawak became a part of Malaysia in 1963, triggering a three-year dispute with Indonesia. Oil is an increasingly important product alongside the traditional coconuts, rice, rubber, and sago. Area: 124,449sq km (48,050sq mi). Pop. (2000) 2,012,616.
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"Sarawak." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Sarawak." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Sarawak.html "Sarawak." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Sarawak.html |
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Kuching
Kuching , city (1991 pop. 277,346), capital of Sarawak, Malaysia, in W Borneo and on the Sarawak River. It is the largest city in the state and a river port. Sago flour and pepper are exported. It was founded in 1839 by James Brooke . In the city are mosques, Buddhist temples, Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals, and a museum of Borneo folklore. The population is about two-thirds Chinese. |
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Cite this article
"Kuching." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Kuching." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Kuching.html "Kuching." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Kuching.html |
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