Malaysia
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
- Population
- 35.6 million (2024)
- Area
- 330,803 km²
- Languages
- English, Malay
- Currency
- Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
- Drives on the
- left
- Calling code
- +60
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Before you go
Overview
It is located at Southeast Asia and has covered parts of Malay Peninsula and Island of Borneo. It is amongst the world’s most developed countries.
The country recorded a population of 31.53 million in 2018 and it covers an area of 329,847 km2.
The capital is Kuala Lumpur.
Putrajaya city is the administrative capital that houses the federal government offices.
Malacca city is the capital of the Malacca state with antique shops, Kampung Kling Mosque and a Chinese Cheng Hoon Teng temple with fancy decorations. It is the oldest city in Malaysia.
George Town is a modern city with shopping malls, skyscrapers and still maintains the British colonial buildings and Chinese mosques.
Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur.
History
It is a former protectorate of the British making it a member of the commonwealth.
In 1895, the four Malay states united to form the Federated Malay States.
The country became independent on in 1957.
Singapore withdrew from Malaysia in 1965.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stepped down in 2003 after ruling for 22 years.
Food & culture
Malay culture is greatly influenced by Chinese, Indian and European cultures. It is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic.
The major crops grown in Malaysia include rice, cocoa, rubber, oil palm and coconuts. Nesi Lemak is the country’s national dish.
Wildlife
The most common wild animals in the country include orangutan, leopard, tarsier, bearded pig, elephant, rhinoceros hornbill, mountain serpent eagle and Malayan weasel.
Festivals & events
Thaipusam festival is conducted on 28th January during the full moon as a remembrance of when Parvati gave a vel to Murugan.
Other major festivals include Chinese New Year, Malaysia water festival, Tadau Ka’amatan harvest festival and wesak day.
Things to see
Malaysia has beautiful beaches and rainforests. It is amongst the worlds most-visited country for its coastal tourism with an island like Langkawi Kedah. Penang beaches are sandy and there is plenty of food that tourists enjoy. Perhentian Islands are popular for the pristine beaches and very clear water.
The country still maintains the ancient architecture but also has the modern one like the Petronas Twin Tower; it is a skyscraper made of glass and steel. It also has the colonial Kuala Lumpur Railway station and Sultan Abdul Samad building.
Putrajaya city has an old architecture like the Putra Mosque made of rose-coloured granite and a pink dome. It also has a three-tiered bridge made designed with Iranian architecture.
Interesting facts
Petronas twin-tower is the tallest twin skyscrapers in the world.
The official language is Malay.
The official religion is Islam.
