Barito

Barito refers primarily to the Barito River, a major river system in southern Borneo (Kalimantan), Indonesia. The Barito River originates in the central highlands of Kalimantan and flows southeast across the island for several hundred kilometers before reaching the Java Sea via a tidal delta near Banjarmasin. The river basin supports diverse ecosystems, including tropical rainforest and mangrove habitats, and its towns rely on fishing, agriculture, and river transport. The Barito remains a significant inland waterway and navigation route for local communities.

The Barito region has long been inhabited by Dayak communities. The Banjar Sultanate developed along the river in the early modern period, influencing trade routes between inland Kalimantan and coastal ports. In linguistic terms, the Barito languages form a major branch of the Austronesian language family, spoken by many groups in the Barito basin, including the Ngaju and related communities. The Barito languages are of interest to linguists for historical reconstruction within the wider Malayo-Polynesian family.

Environmental and development pressures have affected the Barito River and its watershed. Logging, mining, palm oil expansion, and sedimentation have impacted water quality, fish populations, and riparian habitats. Ongoing conservation and sustainable development efforts seek to protect ecological integrity while supporting the livelihoods of communities that depend on the river.