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Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country that consists of 13 States and 3 Federal Territories. Kuala Lumpur is its capital city and Putrajaya is the location of the federal government. The population of Malaysia is over 28 million. The South China Sea divides Malaysia into two major regions referred to as Peninsular Malaysia on the west and Malaysian Borneo on the east. Malaysia shares borders with countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei. Its geographical position is quite near to the equator, and Malaysia enjoys a tropical climate.
Climate & Nature
The major popular places in Malaysia are Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Pahang, Kedah, Perlis, Johor, Perak, Malacca, Sabah, Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu and Penang. The north-east monsoon that comes in the months of October and lasts till February deluges Borneo that is east Malaysia. It often brings floods. The west coast particularly Langkawi and Penang islands escape the season of monsoon. A little milder south-west monsoon wets southern parts of peninsular Malaysia. It may come at anytime between April to October. It also showers waters on perennially soggy Kuala Lumpur.
The country is blessed with abundant natural beauty in the form of many islands, beaches and forests. Malaysian islands and forests are popular for their unique and exceptional diversity of flora and fauna.
Malaysia is a great attraction for tourists who appreciate the natural world. Its primal rain forests have rare trees like the shoreline mangrove and mountaintop oak. They are the most ancient on the planet, older than the Amazon and Congo forests. Three quarters of this small-sized country is covered by natural forest. The diversity is so magnanimous that one encounters approximately 800 species of trees while walking 500 meters in Borneo's lowland dipterocarp forest. The greenery, calm and density of forests in Malaysia just amaze any and every tourist visiting Malaysia. It’s a marvel even for the Botanical and Zoological scientists. The profusion of various ferns, birds, flowers and insects species in the jungles of Malaysia is simply stunning. The abundant life in Malaysia's forests can be a huge resource for new medicines. Malaysia's forests house Southeast Asia's highest mountain peak and the world's most capacious and extensive natural caves.
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A tropical paradise set against the backdrop of sea and rugged mountains: Kota Kinabalu is a veritable delight for nature and relaxtion loving travelers. The Pacific Sutera Hotel (pictured), a MalaysiaExplorer.net top-pick, boasts beautiful scenic views overlooking the South China Sea
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Malaysia’s natural heritage is preserved as National parks and wildlife reserves. The practices of natural forest management are able to conserve the birds and marine life of Malaysia, through an established network of protected areas. In fact, around one and a half million hectares of land area is conserved and protected by legislation. The National Reserves of Malaysia are natural habitat for the world’s most remarkable animals like the Clouded Leopard, the Sumatran Rhinoceros and Malaysian Tiger. The Monitor Lizard, the Sun Bear and the Orang Utan, also known as "man of the forest" are also present in the rain forests of Malaysia.
Malaysian Islands
Malaysia's offshore islands are as legendary and as beautiful as its rain forests. For centuries Pulau Tioman and Pulau Langkawi have been the most popular and heavenly places sought after by tourists from the turbulent outer world. This is sufficient evidence for seeking Malaysia as the most favored international holiday destination. Another is Pulau Sipadan - one of the world’s most sought after diving locations. It’s a small island off the eastern shore of Borneo. Its bed rises some six hundred meters above sea level. Totally encircled by drop-offs and walls, Sipadan is truly one of a kind.
Tourists or visitors can engage themselves in various thrilling tours in Malaysia. They can boat through swirling waters off green islands, take up fly-fishing, and go for bird-watching, spelunking, mountain climbing and swimming in placid river waters. Camping in the giant tropical rain forests is another good idea. Cruising, scuba diving and snorkeling amidst the islands of Langkawi or those off Johor or the country's world-class reefs is another great experience for the adventure buffs.
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Malaysia is indeed one of a kind; a nation truly capable of taking your breath away.
Photo Credits: Auswandern Malaysia
Map Photo Credits: emrank, emrank, emrank, AndyLawson, yeowatzup, WhoCaresNo1NoesMe, thienzieyung, Dave_B_, kaeru.my, zul.rosle, Ian XYZ, nunnui, Nicolai Bangsgaard, James Khoo, +kev, Adamina, Auswandern Malaysia and Honey Tea
