SOME INFORMATION ON MALAYSIA

Located in South East Asia, Malaysia consists of two distinct parts namely the Peninsular and East Malaysia. The two land masses are separated by the South China Sea. The Federation of Malaysia comprises of 13 states and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan. The Peninsular extends southwards from Thailand. It's closest neighbors are Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar. The Peninsular is further divided into 11 states and a federal territory. The remaining two states makes up East Malaysia, located at the northern tip of the Borneo Island. Malaysia shares the island with Indonesia and Brunei.

The population of Malaysia consists of people of different races and cultures.  The total population of 20 million people comprises of three major ethnic groups namely Malay, Chinese, Indian and several other minority ethnic groups.

The national language is Bahasa Malaysia. However, English is also widely used especially in the business sector.  Islam has been accepted as the official religion but other religions are practiced freely.

Malaysia is blessed with the worlds most diverse flora and fauna. Malaysia's tropical rain forest, some dating back to 130 million years still retains it ancient splendors. In the Peninsular, there are over 8,000 species of trees, palms, flowers, ferns, fungus, orchids and other flowering plants.

Malaysia is also home to some exotic animal life such as the orang utan, hornbill, proboscis monkey, scaly anteaters, tapirs, to name a few.

Malaysia also has an interesting history which dates back to the 1400's. Located in the center of an all important spice trading route between India and China, many trading posts were set up along the Malaysian rivers. Malacca was one such trading port which prospered as the result of the spice trade. The wealth and prosperity soon attracted European interest and it wasn't long the Portuguese took over Malacca in 1511. This was followed by the Dutch and eventually the British. The British continued it's colonization to eventually control both the Peninsular and East Malaysia. For a short period of time during the second world war, Malaysia was under Japanese rule. But the country was reverted back to the British, after Japan conceded defeat at the end of the second world war. Malaysia achieved independence on 31 August 1957, but this was followed by a period of instability caused by the Communist and the confrontation with Indonesia. In 1963, the two states in North Borneo and Singapore joined the federation to from Malaysia. However, the union with Singapore was short lived and Singapore eventually withdrew itself from the Federation of Malaysia two years later.

With it's diverse cultures, customs, interesting landscapes, large varieties of flora and fauna, fascinating history and historical sites, Malaysia holds many promises for any tourists. From eco-tourism to adventure tours, make this country your next destination.

ABOUT THE TRIP

To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia. What better way to know Malaysia .... travel, travel, travel. It is really sad to hear someone bragging about the places that they have been to and not know about their own country. That is why I would like to offer some insights of my previous trips within Malaysia. It is affordable and just as interesting. So hop on and enjoy.

Alan Soon

This web-site was last updated by Alan Soon on 20 January 2008

You are visitor number since 31 May 1999

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