History
The famous Sambas Treasure, a collection of 9th century Buddhist sculptures, was found near Sambas Town. It is now part of theAdjoining regencies and city
Population
At the 2010 census, Sambas Regency had a population of 496,120. According to the 2020 census had grown to 629,905 people. By mid 2024, the population was estimated at 654,912 (consisting of 333,922 males and 320,990 females), with an average density of 110.3 people per km2.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Kabupaten Sambas Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.6101)Watershed
Sambas has three watersheds (total: 516,200 ha): the Sambas watershed (258,700 ha), the Paloh watershed (64,375 ha), and the Sebangkau watershed (193,125 ha).Administrative districts
When Sambas Regency was originally created, it consists into the districts of Bengkayang, Ledo, Pemangkat, Sambas, Samalantan, Sanggau Ledo, Singkawang, Sungai Raya, Seluas and Teluk Keramat. In 1956, a new district named Selakau was established by splitting off from the northern part of Singkawang district. In 1958, two new districts were cut out from Pemangkat district, namely Jawai (from northern part) and Tebas (from eastern part). In 1963, another two districts were established (Paloh district was split off from the northern part of Teluk Keramat district and Sejangkung district was split off from the northeastern part of Sambas district). On 12 December 1981, when Singkawang became administrative city within the regency, it was split into three separate districts, namely Roban, Pasiran and Tujuhbelas. On 17 June 1996, Sajingan Besar district was established by splitting off from the five villages of three different districts (two from Sejangkung, two from Teluk Keramat, and one from Paloh) and Jagoi Babang (from the northern part of Seluas district). After Bengkayang Regency was established in 1999, the southern districts (including the administrative city of Singkawang), became part of the newly-created regency. In 2001, two new districts were established (Galing district was split off from the eastern part of Teluk Keramat district and Subah district was split off from the southern part of Sambas district). In 2003, another two districts were established (Semparuk district was split off from the eastern part of Pemangkat district and Tekarang district was split off from the northern part of Tebas district). In 2004, three new districts were established (Sebawi and Sajad district were cut out from the western and eastern parts of Sambas district, respectively and South Jawai district was cut out from the southern part of Jawai district). In 2006, new district named Tangaran was carved out from the western part of Teluk Keramat district. A year later, two more districts were established (Selakau Timur district was split off from the eastern part of Selakau district and Salatiga district was split off from the southern part of Pemangkat district). Sambas Regency thus now consists of nineteen districts (''kecamatan''), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and the 2020 census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. and the official estimates as at mid 2024.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Kabupaten Sambas Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.6101) The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (all classed as rural ''desa''), and its post code.List of Sambas Regents and Vice Regents
References
External links