Malaysia is located in the heart of Southeast Asia, slightly north of the Equator. It is divided into two geographical sections: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (provinces of Sabah and Sarawak in North Borneo). The two parts of the country are lying about 650 km (404 mi) apart, separated by the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia neighbors Thailand and Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak border Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo) and Sarawak surrounds a tiny enclave of Brunei. The Andaman Sea is to the west of the Malaysian Peninsula. The East Coast of the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak are all washed by the South China Sea. Malaysia measures a total of 330,200 sq. km (127,500 sq mi).
Peninsular Malaysia represents 40% of the country's area. A mountainous spine known as the Main Range or Banjaran Titiwangsa runs from the Thai border southwards along the backbone of the peninsula. It effectively separates a narrow eastern coastline from a wide, fertile plain of the west coast. Numerous rivers of the Peninsula are a result of the local topography and heavy tropical rainfall. Being the main trade and transport arteries of the past, now this network of white-water rivers is perfect for rafting. The Sungai Pahang River is the longest on the Peninsula (475 km; 295 mi), followed by the Sungai Perak (400 km; 248 mi).
Although East Malaysia occupies the larger portion of Malaysia's total area, it is primarily comprised of undeveloped land, dense jungles and large river networks. One of the most prominent mountain ranges in Sabah is the Crocker Range, which separates the narrow lowland of the northwest coast from the interior. The Crocker Range culminates in Gunung Kinabalu (4101 m; 13,450 feet). Being the highest mountain in Malaysia and in the Southeast Asia, it also boasts one of the largest natural caves in the world. The longest river of this region is the Rajang of Sarawak (563 km; 350 mi). Rivers are still used as the main means of transportation by the natives of these two states.
Malaysian landscape is extremely diverse and consists of some of the world's finest coral reefs, vast stretches of white sandy beaches, green hills, towering mountains, limestone formations, networks of white-water rivers, lakes and immense expanses of jungle and tropical rain forest. |
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Name: Malaysia |
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Area: 330.000 sq. km. |
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Capital City: Kuala Lumpur |
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Population: 19.7 million |
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Language: Bhasa, English, Chienese |
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Currency: Malaysian Ringitt |
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Time Zone: GMT +8 hrs |
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Religion: 52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Tao |
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