Getting to know Malaysia

August 11, 2015

Malaysia, a beautiful staple of Southeastern Asia, is a peaceful travel destination for thousands every year. In close proximity to both Indonesia and Thailand, it provides potential for rich experiences and cultural awakening. The population of Malaysia is both diverse and cohesive. For many generations, diverse cultures including Malays, Chinese, and Indians have lived peacefully together, both lending to and learning from one another's cultures. The Malaysian culture, then, is a rich culture of peace, cohabitation, and diversity. The official language of the country is Bahasa Malaysia, but over a dozen languages are spoken.

Malaysian cuisine

Malaysian cuisine has been coined the most flavorful in the world by many world travelers, making it an ideal destination for food lovers. The cuisine pulls from Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Indian roots and, like the culture, perfects the art of compromise and combination. Rice is a common staple, served in generous portions with nearly every meal, and fruit and poultry are almost as common. Travelers are unlikely to sample beef in Malaysia as it isn't a common food anywhere in Asia. Malaysia cuisine has been coined the most flavorful cuisine in the world by many world travelers, making it an ideal destination for lovers of food.  

Culture of Malaysia

Malaysia, a beautiful staple of Southeastern Asia, is a peaceful travel destination for thousands every year. In close proximity to both Indonesia and Thailand, it provides potential for rich experiences and cultural awakening. The population of Malaysia is both diverse and cohesive. For many generations, diverse cultures including Malays, Chinese, and Indians have lived peacefully together, both lending to and learning from one another's cultures. The Malaysian culture, then, is a rich culture of peace, cohabitation, and diversity. The official language of the country is Bahasa Malaysia, but over a dozen languages are spoken. 

Highlights of the city

A remarkable 45% of the Malaysian government's income is dependent on revenue from a single company. PETRONAS, short for Petroliam Nasional Berhad, was founded in 1974 and is owned in its entirety by the Malaysian government. The government charged PETRONAS with the responsibility to "redefine the future" of natural gas oil through creative and innovative use of challenging resources worldwide. The company is housed in breathtaking twin towers in the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur. The towers boasts traditional Islamic design elements and the highest bridge in the world; a glass enclosed sky bridge connecting floors forty-one and forty-two of the towers. 

Tropical climate

Interestingly, Malaysian climate is tropical but the cities house the highest temperatures in the country; surrounding islands are significantly cooler than Malaysian cities. Due to its tropical climate and rainforests, Malaysia is home to thousands of species of plants, animals, and insects including a rare flowering plant that can weigh up to five pounds and bears the unusual and unsettling scent of rotting flesh.

More about Malaysia

Another interesting fact about Malaysia is that travelers can use their cell phones without issue due to a worldwide GSM network. The population of Malaysia is currently an approximate 28 million people. 

The primary economic industries and manufacturing and production of palm oil, timber, natural rubber, and petroleum. 

Malaysia is home to entertainment galore in the form of unique shopping, rich Islamic architecture, and natural wonders including Island of Langkawi, Pernhetian Island, the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Borneo's Mount Kinabalu, and the Cameron Highlands. 

Malaysia offers tropical temperatures and flora, rare and interesting architecture, and rich cultural experiences, making it a key destination for travelers worldwide.

Find out more about how you can experience Malaysia

By Sajda Latif