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| In the heart of SE Asia, the country consists of two separate land masses with a total of 330,343 sq km. Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia is bordered by Thailand in the North and Singapore in the South. East Malaysia, comprising the states of Sabah and Sarawak, stretches along the northern region of Borneo. The two land masses are separated by the South China Sea. |
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Here you will discover a delightful fusion of Asia’s oldest civilizations – Malay, Chinese and Indian, a geo-cultural mix made even more interesting by the assimilation of other cultures into the fabric of its society – the indigenous cultures of the Kadazans, Ibans and other ethnic groups of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the influence of the British, Portuguese, Dutch and Thais. Natural attractions abound and the historic cities of Penang & Melaka are popular destinations.
Malaysia has an exuberant celebration of festivals, customs, traditions and a tempting array of multicultural cuisines. Opportunities for adventure are as numerous as they are diverse. From jungle trekking, mountain climbing, caving, and mountain biking, to river safari’s, whitewater rafting, diving, skydiving, off road excitement and more.
Its ancient rainforests, climatic stability, plentiful rainfall, and tropical greenhouse heat have endowed Malaysia with a cornucopia of bizarre life forms.
| In Peninsular Malaysia alone there are over 8000 species of flowering plants, including 2000 trees, 800 orchids, and 200 palms. They include the world’s tallest tree species, the ‘tualng’, and the world’s largest flower, the ‘rafflesia’ measuring up to a metre across. |
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Mammals include elephants, rare rhinos, tapirs, tigers, leopards, honey bears, several kinds of deer, ‘tempadau’, forest cattle, various gibbons, and monkeys, including in Borneo, the orang utan and the bizarre proboscis monkey, scaly anteaters also known as pangolins, and porcupines, to name but a few. |
| The bird life features spectacular pheasants, the sacred hornbills, and many groups of colourful birds such as kingfishers, sunbirds, pittas, woodpeckers, trogons, and barbers.
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Snakes include cobras, notably the spitting cobra which shoots venom, vipers, pythons, and colourful tree snakes.
Climate Malaysia has a typically tropical climate – it’s hot and humid all year-round. Throughout the region the humidity tends to hover around the 90% mark, but on the Peninsula you can escape from the heat and humidity by retreating to the delightfully cool Hill Resorts and Highlands. Full country name Federation of Malaysia Area
329,750 sq km (204,445 sq mi) Population 22 million Capital city
Kuala Lumpur (pop 1.2 million) People
50% Malay, 33% Chinese, 9% Indian, plus indigenous tribes such as Orang Asli and Iban Language
Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese dialects, Tamil, indigenous dialects Religion
52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Taoist, 8% Christian, 8% Hindu, 2% tribal Government
Parliamentary Monarchy Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi GDP: US$99 billion GDP per head: US$4530 Major products/industries
Tin, rubber, palm oil, timber, oil, textiles, electronics Major trading partners:
Singapore, Japan, USA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting There  |
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