"Keeweechic's Malaysia" a Malaysia Travel Page by keeweechic

Malaysia is centrally located in Southeast Asia and is divided into East Malaysia which is north of Indonesia and West Malaysia, south of Thailand. The country is made up of 13 states and federal territories.

Although East Malaysia is the larger of the two regions it is less populated with the land being primarily comprised of undeveloped areas and jungles. Wherever you go in Malaysia you are sure to find some of the natural beauty that appeals to you whether it be the beautiful beaches and Islands or the lush and cooler highland regions.

With Malaysia's central location which puts it between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, this country has traditionally been a meeting point for traders and travellers. This has resulted in a multi-cultural and multi-racial population which has now grown to over 18 million. The people are naturally warm in their welcoming and their friendliness and hospitality is a very special experience. Malays is the official language, but English is also widely spoken so there is no problem in communicating. The official religion is Islam however with such a multi-racial community, freedom of worship is practiced and you will see a variety of temples, mosques and churches, at times, grouped together.

Malaysia earliest recorded days begin in the first century BC. Evidence of ancient civilisation such as tomb stones have been found in Kedah as well as influences from Indian and China. During the 1400's Islam introduced itself with traders from the Middle East and India. This was popular and was spread across the nation by the Sultan of Melaka. The spice trade brought about an attack by the Portuguese in 1511 in Melaka which resulted in the Sultanate falling. With the Portuguese came the Catholic Christianity. In 1641 the Dutch took over control of Melaka, then the British came at the end of the 18th century and formed crown colony states of the Peninsular called the Straits Settlements. Sabah in East Malaysia became a British protectorate and the Brooke family ruled Sarawak as the White Rajah (white King) for the next 100 years. In 1941 the Japanese invaded the country and ruled for about 3 years before surrendering to the Allied Forces after the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. At the end of World War II, the birth of nationalism came about in the country and in 1957 the Proclamation of Independence was declared. In 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak united to form Malaysia but Singapore seceded in 1965.