" My Country Malaysia..." Malaysia by coceng

Malaysia Travel Guide: 32,375 reviews and 65,060 photos

KUALA LUMPUR<font face="century gothic" size=3>

Malaysia

The Federation of Malaysia is a country in the southeast of Asia. It consist of two separate parts divided by the South China Sea: West Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula, bordered to the north by Thailand and enclosing Singapore to the south; and East Malaysia, the northern part of the island of Borneo, bordered to the south by Indonesia and enclosing Brunei to the north.

The Malay Peninsula developed as a major Southeast Asian commercial centre, as trade between China and India and beyond flourished through the busy Straits of Malacca. Islam arrived in the 14th century, followed by European traders in the 16th century, after which the Portuguese, Dutch and British successively dominated the Straits.

The British crown colony of the Straits Settlements was established in 1826 and Britain gradually increased its control over the rest of the peninsula. Following a Japanese occupation during World War II popular support for independence grew, coupled with a communist insurgency. Independence was achieved for the peninsula in 1957 under the name of Malaya, which did not include the port of Singapore.

A new federation under the name of Malaysia was formed on September 16, 1963 through a merging of Malaya, Singapore, and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo. The early years were marred by Indonesian efforts to control Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's eventual secession in 1965. </font>

tropical Serene Beaches Around Malaysia...

A MUST GO...

<img src="http://p.vtourist.com/928727.jpg" height=300 width=600>
<font face="century gothic" size=3>

States Of Malaysia

Malaysia is divided into 13 states (negeri-negeri) and 3 federal territories (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan), marked by a *:

Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Kuala Lumpur *
Labuan *
Malacca
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Penang
Putrajaya *
Sabah
Sarawak
Selangor
Terengganu

Geography

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 4,093 m on the island of Borneo. The local climate is tropical and characterised by the annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons.

Putrajaya is a newly created administrative capital for the federal government of Malaysia, aimed in part to ease growing congestion within Malaysia's largest city, Kuala Lumpur. The prime minister's office moved in 1999 and the move is expected to be complete in 2005. Kuala Lumpur remains the seat of parliament, as well as the commercial and financial capital of the country. Other major cities include Malacca, Ipoh, Klang, and Johor Bahru.

Malaysia Is Shoppers Paradise...

<font face="century gothic" size=3"Economy

Malaysia, a middle income country, transformed itself from 1971 through the late 1990s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. Growth is almost exclusively driven by exports - particularly of electronics - and, as a result Malaysia was hard hit by the global economic downturn and the slump in the Information Technology (IT) sector in 2001. GDP in 2001 grew only 0.3% due to an estimated 11% contraction in exports, but a substantial fiscal stimulus package has mitigated the worst of the recession and the economy is expected to grow by 2% to 3% in the immediate future.

Kuala Lumpur's stable macroeconomic environment, in which both inflation and unemployment stand at 3% or less, coupled with itshealthy foreign exchange reserves and relatively small external debt make it unlikely that Malaysia will experience a crisis similar to the Asian financial crisis of 1997, but its long-term prospects are somewhat clouded by the lack of reforms in the corporate sector, particularly those dealing with competitiveness and high corporate debt.

Demographics

Malaysia's population comprises many ethnic groups, with the politically dominant Malays comprising a plurality. By constitutional definition, all Malays are Muslim. About a quarter of the population is Chinese, who have historically played an important role in trade and business. Malaysians of Indian descent comprise about 7% of the population and include Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. About 85% of the Indian community is Tamil.

Non-Malay indigenous groups make up more than half of the state of Sarawak's population and about 66% of Sabah's population. They are divided into dozens of ethnic groups, but they share some general patterns of living and culture. Until the 20th century, most practiced traditional beliefs, but many have become Christian or Muslim. Other Malaysians also include those of, inter alia, European and Middle Eastern descent. Population distribution is uneven, with some 15 million residents concentrated in the lowlands of the Malay Peninsula.

<font face="copperplate gothic bold" size=4>I am from Malaysia...I live here in this great country!! I live a few miles from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

~

Pros and Cons

Pros:A Booming & Beautiful Small Nation In South East Asia !
Cons:Avoid The City (Only If You Must !)...
In a nutshell:Must Be Here At Least Once In Your Life & ALL The Misconceptions Written By The Western Press WILL BE Shattered !

Intro Updated Jan 25, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (28)

Nasi Lemak... Restaurants (4)

This is Malaysian national dish. A favourite to many Malaysians all races. It is basically rice cooked in coconut milk... more travel advice

Satay... Favorites (7)

Satay, Malaysian well known food. Grilled, skewered meat, served with thick peanut sauce, fresh cucumber & sometimes... more travel advice

A mamak doing his 'teh-tarik' - Malaysia

Teh Tarik... Restaurants (4)

Teh Tarik, literally means 'Pulled Tea'. Normally Indians make the best of this 'pulled tea'. It's basically tea, added... more travel advice

An example of a mamak stall gathering - Malaysia

Mamak Stalls... Restaurants (4)

Some people might think that it's not clean eating by the road sides. Well, who says you have to ? Nevertheless this is... more travel advice

Nightlife (1)
Night Lifes in KL...
Shopping (3)
See All The Landmark Shopping Complex...
Things to Do (9)
See All Wayang Kulit in Kelantan...

Travelogues (1)

Written May 29, 2003

4 photos

Some Photos...

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (22)

mim95 Feb 17, 2005 at 1:52 PM Report Abuse

This is an excellent overview of your country. Thanks!
JLBG Dec 27, 2004 at 9:06 AM Report Abuse

Excellent page, full of informative tips. Your photos are great ! Thank you for sharing.
dassi Aug 20, 2004 at 11:26 AM Report Abuse

Again and again GREAT !! Lots of good info. It both made me wanna come to your cvountry and it made me hungry
matcrazy1 Jan 8, 2004 at 11:20 AM Report Abuse

Very good info! I like esp. your food info in restaurants tips!!!
jenniferchin Dec 26, 2003 at 6:16 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful summary of Malaysia here :-) Your description of Nasi lemak is making me hungrrrryyyyy :-p
vesna04 Nov 27, 2003 at 10:24 AM Report Abuse

Brilliant page, very informative. I've learned some things about yor country...thanks
Aurorae Nov 15, 2003 at 5:12 AM Report Abuse

Great page! I especialy loved Langkawi! :)
dragontml Nov 3, 2003 at 7:15 PM Report Abuse

an interesting write up about malaysia ! malaysia boleh !
tiganeasca Oct 30, 2003 at 5:53 AM Report Abuse

A fascinating and beautiful country. Thanks for sharing such great tips and pictures...as well as your impressions and insights. I can't wait to visit!
byasoni Oct 20, 2003 at 1:09 PM Report Abuse

Hello Arnaud, Beautiful artwork, although I would have loved to see some of your actual pictures as well. I feel as though you have given me a true glimpse of Malaysia, and for that - thank you.