沙巴(Sabah)是马来西亚(Malaysia)的第二大州，位于世界第三大岛婆罗洲的北端，以前被称为北婆罗洲（英语：North Borneo）, 西岸面临南中国海，东濒苏禄海和西里伯斯海，面积74,500平方公里(23,399平方哩)，海岸线长达1,440公里(900里)，地处赤道以北四至八度间.沙巴素有风下之乡(Land Below The Wind)的浪漫美誉，原因是沙巴位于台风带下面, 不受台风和其他天灾(如地震、海啸)的袭击影响.
沙巴首府亚庇 (旧名称: 哥打京那巴鲁)，是一个迅速发展的城市，除了要迅速追上大都会的繁华之外，还尽力保存许多不同的人文历史面貌，例如自然生态、原住民文化、英国殖民地时代遗留的建筑、储存民间文物的博物院和展现多元种族丰采的露天市场等.
走出市区，保存得最美好的自然风光不尽，踏着离岛软细的沙滩，投入蓝天碧海的怀抱，沿登山径，深入地衣浓密，有山的地方就有
传说的山林，初来乍到，您绝对可能会惊讶于就在眼前的满目清新，体会到真正称得上绝世的自然美情景.山高海深的婆罗洲沙巴，是天造地设的大自然景物宝库，绝非浪得虚名.
环境概况.
马来西亚位于东南亚,国土被南中国海分隔成东马、西马半岛两部分.东马由沙巴州和砂拉越州组成,位于加里曼丹北部,与印尼、菲律宾、汶莱国相邻.沙巴拥有幅员硕大、自然生态蕴藏丰富、野生动物品种罕见及保护得最完善的原始热带雨林，被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产、面积比新加坡还大，蕴育着世界最大花卉－莱佛士西亚花，和吃昆虫长大的猪笼草的神山国家公园，以及介于喜马拉雅和新畿内亚以利安加亚间，地块聚垅成最高峰的神山（京那巴鲁山－4,095.2公尺），世界最大的泛滥湿地平原及人猿庇护区、世界公认管理得最好的燕窝洞穴、海龟岛公园等，都是沙巴大自然景致和野生动物得天独厚的标志.
气候温度.
沙巴位于赤道附近，气候常年如夏和潮湿，无四季之分，全年的温度变化小，气温常年介于华氏74至90度(摄氏23度至33度)之间，高原地带清爽.在沙巴旅游，基本上全年都适宜.建议您衣著以轻便清爽为主.如果您计划攀登京那巴鲁山，可携带暖衣外套与雨衣以御寒防潮，因顶峰温度可低至摄氏十度以下. Here, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Head of State of Sabah) sits on top of the hierarchy, followed by the State Legislative Assembly and the State Cabinet. A general Election takes place every five years for both the State and the Federal level officials. However, with the increasing depletion of natural forests as well as ecological efforts to conserve the rainforest; palm oil has proven to be a more sustainable resource. Other than that, Sabah’s economy is highly dependent on agricultural products such rubber and cocoa. Sabah also exports other produces such as vegetables and seafood. Tourism, particularly eco-tourism, is presently the second largest contributor to the economy. Climate
Equatorial/Tropical—the climate is generally hot and sunny all year round; visitors need to wear comfortable clothing to avoid heatstroke. We also have scattered unpredictable rains, therefore, it’s advisable to always bring an umbrella in case it rains. Average Temperature
Lowlands (Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Sandakan, Tawau) – 32 degrees Centigrade Highlands (Ranau, Kundasang, Tambunan) – 21 degrees Centigrade Bear in mind though, that Mount Kinabalu has its own climate. Temperatures can drop to freezing level above 3500 meters. Currency
Malaysian Ringgit (RM)Travelers’ cheques and foreign currencies can be changed for Malaysian Ringgit at banks and hotels. However, there are also money changer kiosks available at major shopping complexes and airport. Most major hotels charge a nominal fee for currency conversion. Major Credit and Charge Cards
VISA, MasterCrad, American Express, Diners Club - credit and charge cards are accepted in almost all departmental stores , supermarkets, petrol stations and restaurants. Local Time
Standard Malaysian Time is 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+8)
Banking Hours
Monday through Friday from 9.30am to 3pm
Usual Office Hours
Monday to Friday from 8am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm; Saturday from 8am – 1pm
Shopping
Shopping centers, supermarkets, restaurants and mini markets are generally open daily from 10am to 10pm As for tipping; food and beverages in exclusive restaurants, cafes and clubs, as well as accommodations normally include 5 per cent service charges. Tipping is not obligatory in most places. Electricity & Water Facilities
Electricity is on the 240 Volts AC/ 50-Cycle system; treated pipe water is available in most urban and sub-urban areas. Communications
Mobile telecommunications cover many parts of Sabah with the exception of some remote areas. Public phones are scarcely available in most places. Medical
Government hospitals, clinics and dispensaries are available in all towns. The list of private medical practitioners and pharmacies are available in the local phone directory. However, those with specific medical needs are advised to have a good supply of medications.
