Malaysia Asia
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia. These were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. Singapore secessed from the Federation in 1965.
Location
Malaysia is a federation of 13 states in southern part of Malaya Peninsula and part of Borneo in South East Asia. Malaysia is in South-eastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam. Malaysia is in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. The country is immediately north of the Equator and positioned on both the Malay Peninsula and on the northern edges of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It's bordered by the waters of the South China Sea, assorted smaller seas, and the countries of Brunei, Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand.
Climate
Malaysia's temperature range from 22 to 33ºC is consistent throughout most of the year. Two monsoon seasons April to October and October to February bring consistent, yet moderate rainfall. Climate Based on its location near the Equator, Malaysia has a tropical climate with many sunny days. Tropical. Rainfall varies from 100 inch in Peninsula to 150 inch in Sarawak and Sabah. Relative humidity is very high year-round.
Language
Bahasa Melayu is the national language, but English is widely spoken and is the language of business. Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka are spoken by the Malaysias Chinese population and Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi among the Indian population.
Currency
The Malaysian Ringit (MYR), also referred to as the Malaysian Dollar, is divided into 100 sen. Malaysian banks charge in the region of US$2-3 for foreign exchange transactions. Moneychangers are generally quicker to deal with and do not charge commission; their rates however are variable. Pounds or dollars are the easiest to exchange. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some hotels. All major credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants. ATMs are widely available.
Attractions
Attractions in Malaysia stand like giant beacons landing the international visitors at its cities. Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur are the second tallest buildings and are beautifully designed ways to experience a modern Malaysia. Both the National Mosque and Kuala Lumpur Railway Station are other great examples of the city's architectureThe beauty of Malaysia is its major draw, as few places on our planet are as pristine and unspoiled. It presents an incredible menu of uncrowded beaches and hundreds of tropical islands. Significant points-of-interest include Taman Negara National Park, with its gigantic trees, plants and colorful wildlife; Sabah's state parks and stunning Mount Kinabalu; the world's largest orangutan sanctuary near the town of Sandakan; Sarawak's collection of national parks, some of the most unique anywhere; and the exciting city of Kuala Lumpur.