"Kuala Lumpur: A Place I ..." a Kuala Lumpur Travel Page by Yasmine03

Kuala Lumpur or KL as it is fondly known is the capital of Malaysia. KL which is a Federal Territory is bordered by the state of Selangor and has a population of 1.4 millions. This is a multi racial/cultural city of three major ethnic groups i.e. Malay, Chinese and Indian. The national language is Malay with English being second. The climate is hot all year round with frequent showers in late afternoons that could last an hour or two. Temperature vary at night and day in between 24 degrees to 35 degrees Celsius. The currency (Ringgit) is a fixed exchange rate at RM3.80 = USD1. KL enjoys an extra public holiday on 1st February to celebrate the Federal Territory Day.

Kuala Lumpur when translated in English means muddy estuary. Its name probably came from where two rivers met namely Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak that formed the early settlements and socio-economics structures. In early 1800, tin deposits were found and people from the Malay archipelago of the Malacca Straits and South China Sea came to mine tin. By 1861, Yap Ah Loy (1837-1885) the Kapitan Cina (Chinese Chieftain) came to Malaya from China to mine tin in KL and later started other businesses to become the richest man of his time. Historians credited him as the founder since he was responsible in building KL in those early days.

Today KL is a progressive city with modern infrastructures which include modern buildings, skyscrapers, highways, light rail transit, monorail, international airport, luxury hotels, etc. Old architecture buildings are conserved and still in use. Like other cities, KL has a city centre known as the Golden Triangle, shopping area in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Chinatown in Jalan Petaling, Little India in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, gardens and parks in Lake Garden, among others. These places are not only popular among the tourists but also the locals. Recently, the administrative capital has been moved to Putrajaya. Still, KL remains as the commercial and business capital. Tin is not being mined anymore. However, Pewter (tin product) is made into souvenir items in the form of tablewares and figurines.