Miri
Decide whether to visit or live in Miri, then explore current conditions, local people, the map, and concise sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Friday, October 16, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
AI-assisted, evidence-constrained research · how this page is made
Would you visit or live in Miri?
Choose your plan and circumstances. The result changes immediately using today's advisory, weather, air-quality, and sourced local signals.
Suitable with normal precautions
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises travelers to Malaysia to check travel impacts and note warnings regarding specific regions.
high source confidence · current planning signal, not a personal-safety guaranteeSee the evidence and calculation
- Current official alerts require extra planning
- Latest air-quality reading is not elevated
- avoid_all_but_essential_travel_to_parts
The score combines dated official-advisory wording, weather, air quality, sourced local context, and your selections. It does not predict crime or individual outcomes. Check local authorities and professional advice before a safety-critical decision.
Climate normals · 2016–2025
When to go: Miri month by month
Judged purely on 2016–2025 weather records, the friendliest months in Miri are typically February, March and July, with average daytime highs around 29–30°C. May is usually the warmest month (average high 30°C), January the coldest (average low 24°C), and December the wettest (about 414 mm). These are long-run averages, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.0 | 23.7 | 325 | 8.2 |
| February | 29.1 | 23.7 | 197 | 8.9 |
| March | 29.4 | 23.8 | 213 | 8.9 |
| April | 30.0 | 24.2 | 219 | 9.4 |
| May | 30.2 | 24.6 | 272 | 9.1 |
| June | 29.9 | 24.3 | 229 | 9.0 |
| July | 29.9 | 24.2 | 202 | 9.1 |
| August | 30.0 | 24.1 | 221 | 8.8 |
| September | 29.7 | 24.0 | 261 | 8.4 |
| October | 29.4 | 23.9 | 313 | 8.2 |
| November | 29.4 | 23.8 | 334 | 8.5 |
| December | 29.0 | 23.7 | 414 | 8.0 |
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People and places shaping Miri
AI-assisted local research, regenerated with the dated live layer. Every requested module remains visible; facts appear only after a source check, and unavailable categories explain what is still being researched.
Research updated Monday, October 5, 2026Past and future events in Miri
Upcoming
No future event in Miri currently has a sufficiently reliable date and source. This is checked again on every refresh.
Previously
- Documented history · 1958
This is evidenced by the discovery of a Homo sapiens skull nicknamed "Deep Skull" in a deep trench uncovered by Tom Harrisson in 1958, which is the oldest modern human skull in Southeast Asia.
- First Oil Well Drilling
On 10 August 1910, the first oil drilling operation was started at Miri Hill by Royal Dutch Shell using the 'Grand Old Lady' rig.
- Discovery of Oil
On 22 December 1910, oil was struck after 130 metres of drilling at the first well in Miri.
- Japanese Landing at Tanjung Lobang Beach
On 16 December 1941, Japanese troops landed on Tanjung Lobang Beach in Miri without much resistance.
- City Status Elevation
Miri was elevated to city status on 20 May 2005, becoming Malaysia's tenth city and the first non-state-capital city to receive the status.
Sources checked (2)
Interactive geography
See Miri in context
Keep the deeper context
Stable history, culture, districts, and practical reference remain in the main reading flow while the live layers above continue changing.
01 · OverviewMiri, in brief
Miri is a coastal city situated in north-eastern Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo near the border of Brunei. Spanning an area of 997.43 square kilometres, the city serves as the capital of both Miri District and Miri Division.
Originally a fishing village composed of scattered houses and wooden shops, Miri transformed significantly following the drilling of its first oil well by Royal Dutch Shell in 1910. This discovery established the city as the birthplace of the Malaysian petroleum industry. The municipality was later granted official city status in 2005 as the tenth city in Malaysia and the first non-state-capital to receive the designation. To commemorate this milestone, the 26-acre urban civic park known as the Miri City Fan was created, featuring a promenade, parkland, amphitheatre, musical fountain, library, and cultural centre.
Cultural exchange and indigenous heritage are deeply rooted in the region's history. The name Miri originates from the minority ethnic group known as "Jati Miriek" or "Miriek," who are recognized as the earliest settlers in the Miri Division. Historical administration under the Brooke government further shaped the area's intercultural dynamics, including an 1899 peace conference organized at Fort Hose in nearby Marudi by Resident Charles Hose to reconcile fighting ethnic tribes, which established the traditional Baram Regatta longboat race competition among natives. Today, Miri's cultural landscape encompasses a diverse population comprising indigenous groups such as the Iban, Malay, Melanau, and Bidayuh, alongside Chinese, Indian, and other communities.
Beyond its urban core, Miri functions as the primary tourist gateway to several notable destinations, including Gunung Mulu National Park, Loagan Bunut National Park, Lambir Hills National Park, Niah National Park, and the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park. The prehistoric significance of the surrounding region is highlighted by the Niah Cave, located southwest of Miri, where the oldest modern human skull in Southeast Asia, known as the Deep Skull, was discovered in 1958. Detailed geographical and administrative data for the region can be referenced through records such as the GeoNames record for Miri and broader historical documentation available via Miri on Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions about Miri
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhere is Miri located and what are its coordinates?
Miri is situated in Malaysia at geographic coordinates 4.3993, 113.9916, with an elevation monitored in regional geographic surveys.
02 · Q&AWhat is the population and time zone of Miri?
Miri has a recorded population of approximately 300,543 and observes the Asia/Kuching time zone.
03 · Q&AWhat languages and currency are used in Miri?
Official and commonly spoken languages in Miri include MS-MY, English, Chinese, TA, TE, ML, PA, Thai, with MYR used for local transactions.
04 · Q&AHow can I check live conditions and daily updates for Miri?
Today's Atlas provides continuous tracking for Miri, featuring real-time weather conditions, daylight cycles, local geographic signals, and verified daily briefs.