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$Unique_ID{COW02336}
$Pretitle{245}
$Title{Malaysia
Country and History}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Embassy of Malaysia, Washington DC}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Malaysia, Washington DC}
$Subject{malaysia
area
borneo
british
capital
malay
sarawak
km^2
population
north}
$Date{1990}
$Log{Traditional Games*0233601.scf
}
Country: Malaysia
Book: Malaysia in Brief
Author: Embassy of Malaysia, Washington DC
Affiliation: Embassy of Malaysia, Washington DC
Date: 1990
Country and History
[See Traditional Games: Courtesy Embassy of Indonesia, Washington DC.]
Malaysia lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is a crescent-shaped
country close to the equator between latitude 1 degree and 7 degrees North
and longitude 100 degrees and 119 degrees East. It occupies two distinct
regions - Peninsular Malaysia extending from the Kra Isthmus to the Straits
of Johor, and Sabah and Sarawak on the northwestern coast of the island of
Borneo.
These regions are separated by about 750 km of the South China Sea.
Peninsular Malaysia has a land frontier with Thailand in the north; south, it
is linked to the Republic of Singapore by a causeway. To the west across the
Straits of Melaka lies the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The Philippine
Islands lie to the northeast of Sabah.
The country covers an area of 330,434 square km. Peninsular Malaysia has
an area of 131,587 square km while Sabah and Sarawak cover 74,398 and 124,449
square km respectively.
LENGTH OF COASTLINE
Malaysia's coastline extends for nearly 4,830 km from the Indian Ocean
to the South China Sea. The west coast of the Peninsula is most accessible
because the Straits of Melaka is sheltered. Access to the east coast during
the northeast monsoon period (October - February) is difficult. The coastline
of Sarawak and Sabah is about 2,100 km long.
CLIMATE
Malaysia is subjected to maritime influences and the interplay of wind
systems which originate in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. The year
is commonly divided into the southwest and northeast monsoon seasons.
The northeast monsoon prevails from October to February and brings rain
to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the coastal region of Sabah and
Sarawak. The Southwest monsoon is from mid-May to September. Average annual
rainfall is between 2,032 to 2,540 mm.
The average daily temperature throughout Malaysia varies from 21C to
32C. though in higher areas temperatures recorded are between 26 degrees and
2C. Relative humidity is generally high with readings of 80 per cent.
FLORA
The climate in this region is ideal for uninterrupted plant growth; thus
about 70 per cent of Malaysia is covered with tropical rain forest. In these
forests are immense trees, 35 to 45 metres high. The flora contains about
15,000 species of plant life of which 6,000 are trees. The most important is
the Dipterocarpaceae which provides most valuable timber. The notable types
of timber are Cengal, Balau, Merbau, Keruing, Kapur, Kempas, Meranti and
Jelutong.
The Hibiscus rosa sinensis, locally known as Bunga Raya, is one of
Malaysia's commonest flowers as well as the National Flower.
Lianes (large woody creepers), epiphytes such as orchids, ferns and
aroids, and many other parasites are found in abundance.
FAUNA
The Malaysian jungle abounds with an enormous variety of wild life. The
tiger takes pride of place, being the National Animal. Panthers and leopards
are occasionally encountered.
The elephant is the largest known indigenous animal found while another
herbivore, the seladang (gaur), is the largest member of the wild ox family
known in the world. The number of animals which are totally protected amount
to thirty-five in all. Top in the lists are the tapir and two species of
rhinoceros.
Among the better-known animals are the orang utan and the pelanduk
(mousedeer) which figures in Malay folklore. Besides these, there are other
animals like the ungka (white-handed gibbon), wak-wak (agile gibbon),
proboscis monkeys, slow loris, tarsiers, squirrels and deer.
Malaysia is rich in its bird-life with more than 500 species, some
migratory. Wild birds are also totally protected. The familiar ones found in
populated areas are the sparrow, cuckoo, night-jar, magpie, robin and mynah.
The merbok and the mynah are singing birds. The colourful ones are the
peafowl, trogons, broadbills, pittas, argus pheasants, golden aurioles,
kingfishers, the tukangs and sunbirds.
STATES OF MALAYSIA
Malaysia is a federation of 13 States comprising Johor, Kedah, Kelantan,
Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang,
Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor Darul Ehsan and Terengganu.
Each State has its individual appeal and characteristics.
JOHOR
Area: 18,985 square kilometres (km^2)
Population: 1,963,600
Capital: Johor Bahru
Linked with Singapore by a causeway. Interesting buildings include the
Istana Besar, the Bukit Serene Palace and Abu Bakar Mosque. The Kota Tinggi
Waterfalls and Mersing are popular recreational attractions.
KEDAH
Area: 9,425 km^2
Population: 1,325,700
Capital: Alor Setar
Known as the "Rice Bowl" of Malaysia. The island of Langkawi, 40 km from
Alor Setar is a picturesque holiday resort with modern amenities.
KELANTAN
Area: 14,930 km^2
Population: 1,116,400
Capital: Kota Bharu
Famous as a seat of traditional Malay culture and for its songket, batik
cloth and silverware.
MELAKA
Area: 1,650 km^2
Population: 548,800
Capital: Melaka
Oldest town in Malaysia. Of historical interest it contains ruins and
buildings dating back to Portuguese and Dutch eras.
NEGERI SEMBILAN
Area: 6,643 km^2
Population: 679,000
Capital: Seremban
Points of interest include Museum, Lake Gardens and Pedas Hot Spring.
Port Dickson, 29 km from Seremban, is one of Malaysia's most popular beach
resorts.
PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR
Area: 35,956 km^2
Population: 978,100
Capital: Kuantan
Royal town is Pekan, 39 from Kuantan. Largest State in Peninsular
Malaysia. Places of interest are the Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hill and
Taman Negara, the National Park or game reserve.
PULAU PINANG
Area: 1,003 km^2
Population: 1,087,000
Capital: George Town
Often called "The Pearl of the Orient", Holiday island of Malaysia.
Renowned for its beaches and a funicular railway which goes up Pulau Pinang
Hill.
PERAK
Area: 21,005 km^2
Population: 2,107,800
Capital: Ipoh
Royal town is Kuala Kangsar, 50 km from Ipoh.
Malaysia's tin state with the world's richest deposits in the Kinta
Valley. Noted for its cave temples. Pangkor is a holiday island, about 77 km
from Ipoh.
PERLIS
Area: 795 km^2
Population: 175,600
Capital: Kangar
Border State with Thailand. Padang Besar is the northern-most town of
Malaysia and is a popular bazaar.
SABAH
Area: 73,711 km^2
Population: 1,287,900
Capital: Kota Kinabalu
Malaysia's highest mountain, Kinabalu (4,099 m high) is 93 km from the
capital.
SARAWAK
Area: 124,449 km^2
Population: 1,550,000
Capital: Kuching
The Sarawak Museum at Kuching has achieved world renown for its unique
collection of Bornean folklore.
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
Area: 8,200 km^2
Population: 1,830,800
Capital: Shah Alam
Royal town is Klang, 6 km from Shah Alam, Port Klang is the largest port
in the country. It is famous for its seafood. The State includes Petaling
Jaya, the largest satellite town in Malaysia.
TERENGGANU
Area: 12,955 km^2
Population: 683,900
Capital: Kuala Terengganu
Famous for fishing villages and handicraft.
FEDERAL TERRITORIES Kuala Lumpur
Area: 244 km^2
Population: 1,158,200
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. It was conferred the status of a
city on 1st February, 1972. The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur was
established on 1st February, 1974.
Labuan:
Area: 91 km^2
Population: 35,000
The Federal Territory of Labuan