The two distinct parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by the South China Sea, share a largely similar landscape in that both West and East Malaysia feature coastal plains rising to often densely forested hills and mountains, the highest of which is Mount Kinabalu at 4,095.2 metres (13,435.7 ft) on the island of Borneo. The local climate is equatorial and characterised by the annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons.
Tanjung Piai, located in the southern state of Johor, is the southernmost tip of continental Asia - if Singapore, an island connected to the continent by a man-made causeway, is excluded.
The Strait of Malacca, lying between Sumatra and West Malaysia, is arguably the most important shipping lane in the world.
Putrajaya is the newly created administrative capital for the federal government of Malaysia, aimed in part to ease growing congestion within Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur. The prime minister's office moved in 1999 and the move is expected to be completed in 2005. Kuala Lumpur remains the seat of parliament, as well as the commercial and financial capital of the country. Other major cities include George Town, Ipoh, Johor Bahru and Kuching. The state of Sabah consists of five divisions, namely Tawau, Sandakan, Kudat, West Coast and Interior. The Federal Territory of Labuan, covering an area of 91 square kilometres, is situated off the west coast of Sabah. Sarawak comprises nine divisions, namely Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Miri, Sarikei, Limbang, Kapit, Bintulu and Kota Samarahan. The Federal Territory of Labuan with an area of 91 square kilometres, is situated off the west coast of Sabah.
The Federation of Malaya Agreement was signed in August 1957. At the end of the month, Independence was finally achieved with Tunku Abdul Rahman as the first Prime Minister. Malaysia was formed on September 16, 1963. At that time, Malaysia comprised of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Singapore separated from Malaysia on August 7, 1965.
Malaysia is a multi-racial country. According to the 2000 census, Malaysia has a population of 23.27 million consisting of 61 percent Malays, 30 percent Chinese, 8 percent Indias and 1 percent of other ethnic groups. Other significant groups are the indigenous races of Sarawak and Sabah, that is, the Dayaks, Kadazans(Dusuns), Bajaus, Melanaus and Muruts; and the aborigines of Peninsular Malaysia. There are also Europeans dan Eurasians.
Malaysia is a multi-racial country with a rich cultural heritage. The base of the national culture is Malay culture, which is native to this region. Islamic values are embedded in Malay Culture.
The Malay culture emphasises values on courtesy, moderation, tolerance, harmony and cordial relations among family members, neighbours and community. As Malaysian respect each other's beliefs and faiths, cultural and religious festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas, Gawai Day and other auspicious occasions are given due importance.
Malaysian culture is a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and various indigenous tribes dating back to more than fifteen hundred years ago from a Malay kingdom in Lembah Bujang with traders from China and India.
Malaysia is a multi-religious society, but Islam is the country's official religion. The four main religions are Islam (60.4% of the population according to government census figures in 2000), Buddhism (19.2%), Hinduism (6.3%), and Christianity (9.1%, mostly in East Malaysia, i.e. Borneo).
The first Chinese to settle in the Straits Settlements, primarily in and around Malacca, gradually adopted elements of Malaysian culture and intermarried with the Malaysian community and with this, a new ethnic group called babas (male) and nonyas (female) emerged. Babas and nonyas as a group are known as Peranakan. They produced a synthetic set of practices, beliefs, and arts, combining Malay and Chinese traditions in such a way as to create a new culture
The Malay Language is the national language of the country. However, the people are free to use their mother tongue and other languages. English as the second language is widely used in business. Malaysia lies near the Equator between latitudes 1 o and 7 o North and longtitudes 100 o and 119 o East. The year is generally divided into the South-East and the North-East Monsoon seasons. The average daily temperature throughout Malaysia varies from 21 o C to 32 o C. Humidity is high that is 80%.
The Malaysian rainforest holds hundred of thounsands of animal species, many of which are unique to the region and the world. A total of 286 species of mammals, 736 species of birds, 406 species of amphibians and reptiles and more than 100,000 species of insects have been recorded in the country. Among the mammals which live here include tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, tapirs, civet cat, leopards, bears and two kinds of gibbons and monkeys. Sabah and Sarawak are homes to the extraordinary Orang Utan.
There are only two species of crocodiles in Malaysia, the estuarine crocodile and gharial. Crocodiles are known to inhabit large rivers especially in Sarawak. The river terrapins are found in major system in the peninsular, that is in the rivers of Perak, Kedah, Terengganu and Pahang. The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia provides one of the most important landing sites for marine turtles especially the leatherback turtle. Rantau Abang in Terengganu is the main landing site for the leatherback turtles in the country. The Turtle Islands of the coast of Sabah are also important for the conservation of marine turtles in the region.
The important areas for migratory birds include Kuala Gula in Perak, Pulau Bruit in Sarawak and the coastal areas of Sabah. The fresh water fish which is most abundant in Malaysia is the carp. Othertypes are, the kelesa, sebarau, toman and haruan.
Popular cities in Malaysia for Visitors are Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Kedah, Kelantan, Perak , Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Pahang, Penang, Johor , Sarawak, Sabah, Perlis , Terengganu. In Kuala Lumpur , Visit Malaysia Tourist Information Complex (MATIC), National Zoo and Aquarium, Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Central Market , National Library, Petaling Street. Malaysia
Area: 127,317 sq mi (329,750 sq km)
Population (2006 est.): 24,385,858 (growth rate: 1.8%); birth rate: 22.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 17.2/1000; life expectancy: 72.5; density per sq mi: 192
Capital : Kuala Lumpur
Other cities: Kelang , Johor Bharu
Currency : Ringgit
Languages: Bahasa Melayu (Malay, official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; several indigenous languages (including Iban, Kadazan) in East Malaysia
Ethnicity: Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, Indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)
Religions: Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; Shamanism (East Malaysia)
Literacy: 89% Approx.
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