Region:  Southeast Asia
Size:  329,750 sq km (204,445 sq mi)
Population:  22 million
Languages:  Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese dialects
Time Zone:  GMT/UTC plus eight hours
Currency:  Malaysian ringgit
Landscape:  Several mountain ranges run north-south along the spine of the peninsula. There is a wide, fertile plain on the west coast, and a narrow coastal plain on the east. More than 60 per cent of the country is still rainforest. There are a wide variety of plants and animals that live in the jungle.
Climate:  Malaysia is hot and humid all year. Temperatures are usually between 20-30°C (68-86°F); humidity is usually 90 per cent. The region has a monsoonal climate, but only the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia has a real rainy season. The wettest season on the west coast of the peninsula is between September and December; on the east coast and in Sabah and Sarawak it's between October and February. Rain, when it comes, generally interrupts the sunshine only briefly; most of it falls in short, strong bursts.
Entry Requirements:  Commonwealth citizens and most European nationals do not need visas for visits of less than three months. Visitors are usually issued an extendable 30 or 60-day visa on arrival.
Airlines:  Malaysia Airlines
Travel Time from LAX:  19 hrs
Travel Time from JFK:  22 hrs
Getting Around: Peninsula Malaysia has a fast, economical and widespread bus system, and this is generally the best way to get around. Sabah has excellent roads, and minibuses ply the main routes. Buses ply Sarawak's major trunk road, but hardly anywhere else. Peninsula Malaysia has a comfortable and sensibly priced railway system, but there are basically only two lines: one linking Singapore to Thailand via KL and Butterworth, and the other branching off this at Gemas and heading north-east to Kota Bharu. In Sabah, there's a narrow-gauge line through the Pegas River gorge from Tenom to Kota Kinabalu, which is well worth catching. In Peninsula Malaysia, long-distance taxis are twice the price of buses but they're a comparatively luxurious and efficient way to travel. If you want to get around by car, all major car-rental firms have KL offices. There are no boat services between Peninsula and East Malaysia, but fast boats ply the rivers of both Sabah and Sarawak.
Personal Technology: 220-240V, 50 Hz
Nearby Destinations:  Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia
Web Site:  http://www.tourism.gov.my/ 

 

MALAYSIA
Due to the geographically configuration of Malaysia, visitors can enjoy two separate worlds in one country. The economically strong and politically stable Malaysian Peninsula offers the bouncing city of Kuala Lumpur, while the island of East Malaysia opens its doors to spectacular wildlife, longhouses, and the magnificent Mt. Kinabalu. Because of the diversity of the two separate landmasses Malaysia is able to offer its visitors enchanting islands, beautiful flora and fauna, forest retreats, magnificent mountains, and a modern, thriving metropolis.

Culture
Malaysia has a fascinating mix of people, with Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, and indigenous people living side by side. The largest community consists of Malays, who are mostly Muslims and speak the official language of Malaysia, Bahasa.

The second largest ethnicity in Malaysia's population is the Chinese, who comprise of about one-third of the country's people. The majority of the Chinese are Buddhists and Taoists, and speak Hokkein, Hakka, and Cantonese. Another 10% of the population is made up of Indians that have come mainly from southern India. They are mostly Hindu Tamils who speak Tamil, Malayalam, and some Hindi, and live mainly in the larger towns on the west coast of the peninsula.

Most communities use English as their primary language, despite Bahasa Malaysia being the official language of the country.

History
The movement of indigenous Malays began moving down the peninsula from southwestern China around 10,000 years ago. Many saw Malaysia as a land of opportunity for natural resources and minerals; this attraction drew traders from India and China, as well as many Hindu communities that developed along the Malay rivers.

The growing wealth in Malaysia soon attracted European powers, and in 1511 the Portuguese took control, followed by the Dutch in 1641. Then in 1786 the British established a prosperous port in Penang, and later took control of most of the Malaysia peninsula in 1795. And by the 1920's Britain had all the Malay states on the peninsula under its protection.

A push for independence was stalled by Japanese occupation during World War II, but independence was finally achieved on August 31, 1957.

Attractions
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur will delight visitors with its unique architecture; 13 kilometres north are the Batu caves.

Malacca
In Malacca, the oldest town in Malaysia, you can explore historical buildings and temples, visit Jonker Street for antiques and watch cultural performances at Portuguese Square.

Penang
Penang is renowned for its resorts and food lovers will enjoy sampling local delicacies at the many street stalls. While there, visit the Snake Temple or take the funicular train up Penang Hill for a view of the island.

Langkawi
Langkawi boasts beautiful beaches and interesting legends. Other beautiful islands are Pulau Tioman, Pulau Redang and Pulau Sibu on the South China Sea.

Sabah
Nature lovers will adore Sabah, a mountainous place with lush tropical rainforests and Mount Kinabalu, which is popular with climbers, orchid-lovers and bird-watchers. Refresh yourself in Poring Hot Springs and then move on to

Kuching
Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, boasts beautifully landscaped parks and gardens and historic buildings. Take a trip to the hills and stay at Fraser's Hills, visit the Cameron Highlands with its many fruit and vegetable farms, or the Genting Highlands.

 

Adventures:
Peninsular Malaysia
The islands are little visited, despite their good beaches. Low-key Taiping, has beautiful lake gardens, well-preserved Anglo-Malay buildings, a good night-market. Also in Perak, is the historic royal town of Kuala Kangsar, which has fine mosques and palaces, and was the birthplace of Malaysia's rubber industry. Ipoh, Perak's capital, has elegant mansions and impressive cave temples. Tasik Chini in central Pahang state is well worth the effort. It's actually a series of 12 lakes surrounded by beautiful jungle territory, with great treks, and it's rumoured to be the haunt of a cousin of the Loch Ness monster.
Taman Negara National Park
Taman Negara National Park offers a rare opportunity to visit one of the most pristine primary rainforests in the world. The wildlife is varied and abundant.

For Families:
For those who love trekking and hiking, the dense jungles and the breath-taking mountains provide the perfect venues for such activities. And if a long trekking adventure is what you're looking for Gunung Tahan, the Malay Peninsula's highest mountain, may be just what you're looking for. Also found near the mountain are the Niah caves where one can view prehistoric paintings, as well as the preserved remains of the artists themselves. If water sports catch your fancy, Malaysia offers an abundant array of activities to enjoy. There is white-water rafting on the rivers of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as diving and snorkeling off Tioman Island and Redang Island. Both of the islands contain beautiful coral reefs and breathtaking underwater caves. Another great diving area where rare deep ocean marine species can be found is off the coast of Sipadan Island. Other water adventures include boat rides and angling for black marlin.

Shopping:
Kuala Lumpur in particular has become a mecca for good value shopping with a variety of fashionable products and handicrafts available from a number of shopping venues. The major shopping complexes are located within the enclave bounded by Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak.
Shopping there is a pleasurable activity as they offer air-conditioned comfort and are open daily from 10.00am to 10.00pm. Most shopping complexes include food courts and entertainment centers, as well as outlets offering duty-free shopping. Pasar Malam or night market (bazaar style) gives visitors a different shopping experience. Here the traders set up their tables and display their wares (everything from food to herbal medicine) preparing to negotiate and bargain the price on all their merchandise.

Culinary:
Malaysia is a paradise for lovers of good food. The different people that make up this multi-racial community each have their different foods and cooking styles. Restaurants are air-conditioned and cater for a wide variety of tastes including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Thai and Korean. As the people are Islamic, no pork is used and strict Muslims dine at restaurants that offer halal food prepared in religiously approved conditions.
The rich, spicy ingredients are different from state to state but all use seafood, meat, coconut and other indigenous fruits, with rice.
The most famous Malay dishes are satay - spicy skewered pieces of chicken or beef, marinated and barbequed over a charcoal fire and eaten with peanut sauce; and laksa, a spicy vegetarian soup with noodles and fish stock. Thirst quenchers are 'the tarik' a tea made with a special milk, 'sirap bandung' a pink drink made of rock sugar and red colouring with condensed milk added, and 'air batu campur' made of either brown sugar or red syrup with colourful jelly cubes, red beans, sweet corn and Chinese black jelly.

Sports:
 There are 200 golf courses in diverse settings such as hill resorts, islands, beaches, cities, towns and off the beaten track. Game hunting is still permitted under certain conditions and for spectators there's soccer, rugby, hockey, cricket, badminton and horse racing with meetings on weekends and public holidays.
Traditional Malay sports include sepak raga which uses a badminton court with a high net and a light rattan ball and Silat (Malay martial art), a fighting technique with or without weapons which is as graceful as ballet and very popular in rural areas.

Nightlife:
Nightlife is vibrant. Kuala Lumpur offers a wide choice of places with entertainment ranging from cultural shows to Western-style bars and discos. Karaoke lounges have become popular and for those who enjoy traditional entertainment, there are several cultural show venues.