Malaysia at a glance
Malaysia is an experience that will excite even the best travelled! Explore the fascinating fusion of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures that creates the phenomenal cuisine unique to this region; indigenous communities that still live traditionally; islands with beaches of pure white sand; pristine reefs, national parks and reserves that are home to some of the world's oldest rainforests and rarest animals; a modern capital that blends British-colonial buildings with the modern skyscrapers; a royal town with a majestic past and highlands that offer respite from the heat and restore the senses. Malaysia celebrates 50 years of Independence in 2007. The time is right to come and experience the warmth and generosity of its people and the rich natural beauty and wildlife for yourself.
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| Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and covers an area of 329,750 sq km. It is the only country that occupies territory on both the mainland and insular regions of Southeast Asia. The region of Malaysia on the mainland is commonly referred to as either Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia. It occupies the southern half of the Malay Peninsula and accounts for 40% of the country's land mass. It is bordered by Thailand on the north and Singapore on the south, the Strait of Malacca on the west and the South China Sea on the east. The insular region is commonly referred to as East Malaysia. It occupies the northwestern part of the island of Borneo. (Kalimantan (Indonesian) Borneo occupies the southeast portion of Borneo.) Approximately 400 miles (650 km) of the South China Sea separates East Malaysia from Peninsular Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia is largely mountainous with half of the total area more than 500 feet (150 meters) above sea level. There are several mountain ranges that run north-south with elevations rising to more than 7,000 feet (2,000 m). Heavily populated coastal lowlands (fertile plain) run along the west side and narrow, swampy, and densely forested lowlands run along the east side. The Pahang River is the principal river flowing through Peninsular Malaysia.
In East Malaysia the coastal plains rise to a hill and valley region and then rise to a mountainous core with elevations between 4,000 and 7,000 feet (1,200 and 2,000 m). The highest point in the country, Mount Kinabalu (13,455 feet [4,101 m]), is located in the extreme northeast portion of this mountainous core. The two principal rivers in East Malaysia are the Rajang and the Kinabatangan. The Rajang is located in the state of Sarawak and the Kinabatangan is located in Sabah.
Approximately two-thirds of Malaysia is forest with the majority of it being tropical rainforest. Vegetation includes bamboo, camphor, ebony, sandalwood, teak, and mangrove forests among the over 8,000 species of flowing plants which include 2000 tree species, 800 different kinds of orchids and 200 types of palm trees. Wildlife in Malaysia includes elephant, tiger, leopard, wild ox, sun (honey) bear, wild pig, orangutan, gibbon, and some rhinoceros. East Malaysia is known for having one of the largest and most varied bird populations in the world.
Malaysia is hot and humid year round with a temperature 20° - 30° C, (68° - 86° F), and a humidity level of 90%. Since the temperature fluctuates little throughout the year, travel in Malaysia is a pleasure year round. |
