Malaysia-GENERAL INFORMATION

Population

Main Cities Population Kuala Lumpur   1,300,000   Ipoh   383,000   Johore bahru   329,000   Malacca   296,000   Petaling Jaya   255,000   Penang   250,000   Total population (millions): 25.2 Source: World Bank 2004 Urban population: 64% Source: World Bank 2004 Average annual population growth: 1.7% Source: World Bank 2004 Surface area (km²) : 329,750 Population origin Origin of the population % Of the population Malay 60 % Chinese 32 % Indian 8 %

Local time

It is %T:%M %A in Kuala Lumpur

GMT+8

Languages Official language: Malay The Chinese speak Cantonese, Hakka and Hokkien. Most of the Indians speak Tamoul. English is used as an inter-ethnic link, especially for the middle classes. Dayak uses numerous dialects. Business language: English. Free translation tools in Malaysia : Malay-English Dictionary English-Malay free dictionary

Religion Religious practises : Muslims 52.7% Buddhists 16.7% Christians 6.8% Hinduists 6.7% Others 17.1%.

Political system Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is elected every five years by the Conference of the Sovereigns, among the nine sovereigns of the peninsula States. The Federal Parliament (Parlimen) is composed of the Chamber of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), 194 deputies directly elected every five years, by universal suffrage and the Senate, (Dewan Negara) with 68 members of which 42 are appointed by the governing king, and 26 of which are designated by the 13 member States of the Federation. The governing party is called the Front National (Barisan Nasional) with 164 seats and has been governing since the country's independence. It is an ethnic coalition of the 3 most representative parties of the country: United Malays National Organisation (UNMO, 88 seats), Malaysian Chinese Association, (MCA, 30 seats), and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC, 6 seats). The main opposition parties are the Democratic Action Party (9 seats), The Islam Sa-malaysia Party (PAS, 7 seats) and the Party Melayu Semangat 46 (6 seats).

Climate

 

Tourism

Number of visitors in Malaysia 2002 2003 2004 World rank Number of visitors (1000) 13292   10577   15703   13 Source : World Tourisme Organization, data available in November 2005

 

Tourist sites Resorts: -Cameron Highlands, where the Brinchang's marketplace, craft shops, the Buddhist Chin Swee Temple, the fruits and vegetables farms and the tea plantations must be visited. -Fraser's Hill is a charming resort in the wild mountain, where numerous jungle paths, waterfalls, and mushroom farms can be found. -The Genting Highlands: with its pretty artificial lake and other places of leisure. A cable-car service is available. Islands and beaches: -Penang, in the North of the island, at about 14 km from Georgetown. -The island of Langkawi, relatively isolated and protected, is intended for those who try to escape in a tropical island. -The Pangkor island, famous for its anchovies and squids. National parks: -Taman Negara -Endau-Rompin's national park -Kinabalu's national park -Gunung Mulu's national park, but also Niah and Bako. For more information about tourism in Malaysia , check out the following web site(s) : Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board

Food Traditional dishes Among the Malay specialties, the Satay's varieties should be listed: they are specialties of barbecued meat or poultry, which have been marinaded in a hot spicy sauce. Food-related taboos Culinary taboos depend on religions.