Miri, located in north-eastern Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, is a significant coastal city known for its rich history and natural beauty. It holds the distinction of being the birthplace of Malaysia's petroleum industry, with the first oil well drilled in 1910 by Royal Dutch Shell. This discovery spurred rapid development, transforming Miri from a small fishing village into a bustling administrative and economic hub by 1929 [27], [35].

The city gained official city status on May 20, 2005, becoming the tenth city in Malaysia and notably, the first non-state-capital to achieve this recognition [45], [46]. Today, Miri is promoted as a "Resort City" and serves as a crucial gateway for eco-tourism, offering access to world-renowned natural attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Mulu National Park, and other significant national parks [49], [13]. Its strategic location near Brunei also makes it a popular shopping destination.

• Miri's population was estimated at 255,100 in 2023 [11].
• The city spans an area of 997.43 square kilometers (385.11 sq mi) [2].
• Miri experiences a tropical rainforest climate with two monsoon seasons, featuring annual rainfall between 250 to 380 cm and temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C year-round [58].
• Indigenous groups, including Iban and Malay, form the largest ethnic majority (61.3% as of 2010), followed by Chinese (32.1%) [67]. Miri is home to 19 of Sarawak's 27 ethnic groups [68].
• Christianity is the largest religion (50.1% in 2020), followed by Islam (34.2%) and Buddhism (12.8%) [89].
• The primary official languages are Malay and English, alongside various indigenous and Chinese dialects [75].
• Miri is the first non-state-capital city in Malaysia to be granted city status (2005) [46].

Miri is governed by the Miri City Council (MCC), which was upgraded from a municipal council on May 20, 2005, and is currently led by Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang [51], [1]. The MCC holds jurisdiction over an area of 977.43 km² (377.39 sq mi) and is responsible for managing the city's development under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing Sarawak [2].

Miri City also elects one Member of Parliament to the Parliament of Malaysia and three state assemblymen to the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, representing Piasau, Pujut, and Senadin constituencies [50].

Miri's economy is primarily driven by its significant oil and gas industry, contributing substantially to Sarawak's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Major international and national companies like Sarawak Shell Berhad and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd have established offices in the city, alongside other key players such as Nippon Oil, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, and Halliburton [93], [94], [95], [96], [97], [98], [99], [100], [101], [102]. Beyond petroleum, Miri also benefits from robust timber and oil palm industries, with multinational conglomerates like Shin Yang and Samling having strong roots in the area, and Sarawak Oil Palm Berhad headquartered locally [104], [106], [107], [113]. The Miri Port Authority facilitates trade, handling petroleum, timber, and building materials [115], [117]. Tourism plays a growing role, with the city serving as an eco-tourism hub and a popular shopping destination for visitors from Brunei due to favorable exchange rates [118], [119].

Miri's infrastructure supports its role as a regional hub. The city's road network is maintained by the Miri City Council, providing connections to major cities within Sarawak and neighboring Brunei via the Pan Borneo Highway and ASEAN Bridge [123], [124], [125]. Public transport includes local and long-distance bus services and taxis, although taxis do not use meters [8]. Miri Airport (MYY) serves as a vital gateway for domestic, international, and rural air services, being the tenth busiest airport in Malaysia and the second busiest in Sarawak, handling flights to various destinations including Singapore and interior Sarawak [127], [128]. The Miri Port Authority at the Baram River mouth facilitates maritime trade [115]. In terms of utilities, LAKU Management Sdn Bhd oversees water supply, and while urban electricity coverage is high (94% in 2009, 91% by 2014), rural areas still lag.