Interesting Information About Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most beautiful southeast Asian countries populated with a few of the warmest and welcoming people. The place interestingly is a mix of numerous Asian cultures, making the punch line ‘Malaysia, truly Asia’ quite apt for the country. The country not only bursts with modern constructions, including a few modern day architectural wonders but it also preserves its enriching legacy in the form of old monuments and heritage sites. This place has its own brand of culture which has emerged from the customs and traditions of the settlers from different parts of Asia. So polite and humble are these people that if you invite someone to your home it is quite rare that you will hear no for an answer. With an assortment of some of the exquisite cuisines in the world to delight its people and guests with, the experience remains, for each, an unforgettable one. But the platter is huge with much more on offer for each and everyone. Continue reading through the section to know more about Malaysia.

Fast Facts

Official Name: Federation of Malaysia
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Official Language: Malay (Bahasa Malaysia)
National Language: Malay (Bahasa Malaysia)
Other Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Thai
Demonym: Malaysian
Religion: Islam (predominant), Buddhism, Hinduism, Christian, Confucianism, Taoism and Others
Legislature: Bicameral Parliament
Independence: 31 August 1957
Constitution: 31 August 1957
Area: 329,847 sq km
Population: 27.9 million (UN, 2010)
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
National Animal: Malayan Tiger

Interesting And Amazing Facts On Malaysia

• Malaysia, a former British colony, became an independent nation on 31st August 1957 when it was set free from the British rule. It was in the year 1963 that Malaysia expanded to include Sabah and Sarawak into the federation of Malaysia.
• The judicial system and the government is still run in the manner it used to during the British rule and the reforms which take place in England are adopted here too.
• The capital city of the country is Kuala Lumpur which is the Malaysian word for a ‘Muddy Estuary’. The capital which used to be a tin mining town now is now a dream destination.
• The tallest twin towers of the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, are located in Kuala Lumpur. These towers are 88 storeys high. But this never means that the people of Malaysia have forgotten their roots, as the colonial architecture is still preserved amidst the multi-storied architectural wonders.
• Though Malaysia’s official language is Bahasa Malaysia, but because of multitude of cultures and ethnicities, you will find a number of dialects and languages being spoken here.
• Malaysia is a mix of a number of ethnic flavours but still, each community holds its distinct culture and tradition. Cultures are deeply related to cuisines and hence Malaysia is also popular as Food paradise of southeast Asia.
• Interestingly, the country is not only famous for its distinct culture but is also popular for its natural wealth, like the world’s biggest flower, Rafflesia, is found in abundance at Sabah.
• The cinema came to Malaysia quite late, which is during 1933. The first film to be screened in the country was Laila Majnu. It was a black and white movie based on a Sanskrit play.
• The Belum rainforest has the largest Tiger population in Malaysia, which is much more than that of any animal sanctuary in the country.
• Penang Free School was set up in Malaysia in the year 1816 by Reverend Sparke Hutchings and it is now the oldest English School in southeast Asia.
• Bintangor trees, which are indigenous to Malaysia, supposedly have the properties which can help in preventing the virus which causes AIDS (research in progress).
• There is a plant in Malaysia which is quite famous for its leaf. The name of the plant is Alocasia Macrorrhiz and has the largest undivided leaf in the world. It is found in abundance in Sabah.
• Malaysia is also popular for its clear water beaches, the most popular being at the Sipadan Island, which is also one of the most favourite diving spots, because of the presence of beautiful coral reefs.
• The Kuala Lumpur tower located in Kuala Lumpur comes fourth in the list of the tallest towers of South-east Asia.
• Penang’s St. George Church, which was built in 1818, is an Anglican church which has the honour to be the oldest Anglican Church in entire South-east Asia.
• The Penang Bridge is the third longest bridge in Asia, measuring a staggering 13.7 km in length.
• As known, the currency of Malaysia is called ringgit, which is Malay for the word jagged and was primarily used for the separated edges of Spanish silver coins which were quite popular in Malaysia during the older times.
• Malaysia has a staggering coastline of 4,675 km and has as many as two hundred islands.
• The largest cave chambers which are found in world are in Malaysia. These are named the Sarawak Chamber and are located at Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak.
• Malaysia boasts of the oldest rainforest, which are home for the trees which tower up to the height of over 100 metres.
• A major chunk of Malaysia’s GDP comes from the tourism industry. The country plays host to over 20 million tourists every year from all parts of the world.
• Rice is the staple food in Malaysia and hence is produced in abundance. Most of the delicious dishes in Malaysia are accompanied by rice in one way or another.
• TUN Abdul Razak Hussein and Tun Hussein Onn, which were the second and the third prime ministers of Malaysia, were masters of Malay martial art form known as Silat Seni Gayong.
• Japanese soldiers invaded Malaysia during the Second World War in the year 1941. These soldiers landed at the port of Kota Baru and from that point, these soldiers cycled their way to reach Singapore. This journey took forty five days.
• Malaysia was the first country in southeast Asia to get a formula one circuit by the name ‘Sepang International Circuit at Sepang’.
• An interesting practice followed here is that whenever you enter a Malay household, you are supposed to remove your shoes outside; it is similar with a number of traditional shops too.