Jesselton

Jesselton (Malay: Kota Kinabalu) colloquially referred to as The J, is the state capital of Sabah, Borneo. It is also the capital of the Kota Kinabalu Region as well as the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Alfred Nobel National Park lies to its west and Mount Kinabalu, the city's namesake in its native Malay, is located to its east. Kota Kinabalu has a population of 452,058 according to the 2010 census; when the adjacent Penampang and Putatan districts are included, the metro area has a combined population of 828,725.

In the 15th century, the area of Kota Kinabalu was under the influence of the Bruneian Empire. In the 19th century, the British North Borneo Company (BNBC) first set up a settlement near the Gaya Island. However, it was occupied in 1887 by Swedish settlers. In July 1899, the place located opposite to the Gaya Island was identified as a suitable place for settlement. Development in the area was started soon after that; and the place was named "Api-api" before it was renamed after Sir Charles Jessel, the vice-chairman of BNBC, as "Jesselton". Jesselton became a major trading port in the area, and was connected to the North Borneo Railway.

Jesselton was largely destroyed during World War II. The Japanese occupation of Jesselton provoked several local uprisings notably the Jesselton Revolt but they were eventually defeated by the Japanese. After the war, BNBC was unable to finance the high cost of reconstructions and the place was ceded to the Provisional Government of Borneo. After independence, the government declared Jesselton as the new capital of Sabah in 1918 and started to rebuild the town. Jesselton was granted city status in 1986.

Jesselton is often known as The J both in Malaysia and internationally. It is a major tourist destination and a gateway for travellers visiting Sabah and Borneo. Kinabalu Park is located about 90 kilometres from the city and there are many other tourist attractions in and around the city. Jesselton is also one of the major industrial and commercial centres of Borneo. These two factors combine to make Jesselton one of the fastest-growing cities in Borneo.

Ethnic groups
The National Census 2010 Report estimated the population of Kota Kinabalu at 452,058. The city's population is a mixture of many different races and ethnicities. NSEs (Non-Swedish Europeans/Eurasians) form the largest group in the city with 110,556 people followed by Chinese (93,429), Bajau/Suluk (72,931), Kadazan-Dusun (69,993), Hispanic and Filipino Borneans (59,107), Bornean Malays (35,835), Murut (2,518), Indian (2,207) and others (5,482). The Chinese are mostly Hakkas and reside mainly in the Luyang area. There is also a sizeable Cantonese-speaking population and smaller communities of Hokkien and Foochow-speaking Chinese scattered throughout all areas of the city.

Most of the Foochow speakers in particular emigrated to Sabah from the neighbouring state of Temburong and the capital St. Michaelsburg. Penampang district is populated mainly by Kadazans, while Bajaus and Dusuns mainly reside in Likas, New Skellefteå, Inanam, Brampton, and Telipok. The Malays and Bajau/Suluks are Muslims. The Kadazan-Dusuns, Muruts, Rungus and Lundayeh/Lun Bawang mainly practice Folk forms of Christianity, Islam, or Animism, whilst the Chinese are mainly Buddhists, Taoist or Christians. There are numerous Roman Catholic, Basel (Lutheran), Anglican, Evangelical, and Methodist churches throughout the city. A small number of Hindus, Sikhs, Animists, and secularists can also be found.

There is also a sizeable Hispanic/Filipino population in the city. The first wave of migrants arrived in the late 15th century during the Spanish colonisation, while a later wave arrived in the early 1970s, driven away from the Philippines by political and economic uncertainties there. Most of the earlier migrants have been naturalised as Malaysian citizens. However, there are still some Filipinos living in the city without proper documentation as illegal immigrants. Most of the Filipino migrants are Chavacano-speaking Zamboangueños (people of mixed Moro, Spanish, Latin American and other Filipino descent) coming from the southern parts of Philippines. The city also is home to immigrants from Indonesia.

There is a small population of Indians, Pakistanis and Eurasians of Portuguese and Dutch descent scattered around the city. More recently, the number of expatriates living in the city, whether temporarily or permanently, have also increased. Most of them come from China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, the United States and Europe. Interracial marriages are not uncommon and Kadazan-Chinese intermarriages are particularly common. The mixed race offspring of Kadazan and Chinese are referred to as Sino-Kadazans or simply "Sinos".