| Climate: The weather is hot and rainy throughout the year. Rainfall is the highest during the monsoon season from November to around February. The eastern coast of the peninsula receives heavy rain during this monsoon period. The temperature usually hovers around 30 degrees Celcius although it gets colder during the nights.
Geography: Malaysia is divided into the peninsula on the west and east Malaysia across the South China Sea. East Malaysia is made up of two states, which straddle Brunei on the island of Borneo. The highest peak in South East Asia stands in the state of Sabah. Mount Kinabalu towers 4100m and overlooks the vast 750 square kilometer Kinabalu National Park.
Population: The population stands at around 22 million. The nation is made up of mainly ethnic Malays who account for more than half the population with the Chinese and Indians making up the two other major groups. The indigenous Orang Asli, who live in the central regions of the peninsula, and the various tribes in East Malaysia, account for a sizeable part of the population.
Economy: From being the world’s main exporter of tin and rubber, which have suffered from slumping prices, Malaysia has shifted towards the manufacturing of goods, which includes electronic components of which the country is a major supplier globally.
Religion: Islam is the official religion. Other religions including Christianity and Hinduism are freely practised in this country. Buddhism is also practised mainly by those of Chinese origin.
Language: Bahasa Malaysia is the official language and it is almost similar to the Malay language spoken by the people of Indonesia. English is widely spoken in this former British colony.
Currency: The Malaysian currency is known as the Ringgit. (US$1 equals 3.80 RM). |
