 Sarawak , once part of the Sultan of
Brunei's Empire, was ruled by a British adventurer named James Brooke
and his descendants since 1841. In 1888, Sarawak and North Borneo
(Sabah) become British protectorates. By 1920s, all the states that
eventually comprised Malaysia were under British control. The first
strings of Malaysian nationalism were felt in 1930s and following the
end of World War II, the momentum of nationalism picked up again,
culminating in independence for the Federation of Malaya in 1957.
Malaysia was created in 1963 through
the merging of Malaya (independent in 1957) and the former British
Singapore, both of which formed West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak in
north Borneo, which composed East Malaysia. The first three years of
independence were marred by hostilities with Indonesia. Singapore
separated from the union in 1965.
Malaysia is
basically a peninsula that stretches from north to south for about 800
km and has mountains that form its backbone and belly, with gentle
valleys along its coastlines. The island of Borneo is of similar
terrain.
In addition to the mountain ranges the Malay peninsula also has an
abundance of limestone outcrops, particularly in the areas of Kuala
Lumpur and in the Kampar Valley near Ipoh farther north. Cave ridden,
these outcrops play host to fauna and flora that generally, is different
to that found in the nearby lowlands. Malaysia covers an area of about 329,758 square kilometres,
consisting of Peninsular Malaysia, the states of Sabah and Sarawak and
the Federal Territory of Labuan in the north-western coastal area of
Borneo Island. The two regions are separated by about 531.1 kilometres
of the South China Sea.
Peninsular Malaysia, covering 131,598 square
kilometres, has its frontiers with Thailand in the North and Singapore
in the south, while Sabah with an area of 73,711 square kilometres and
Sarawak, about 124,449
 square kilometres, border the territory of
Indonesia's Kalimantan province.
Peninsular Malaysia consists of the following states:Johor, Kedah,
Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Perlis,
Selangor, Terengganu and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. Pahang
with an area of 35,965 square kilometres is the largest state in
Peninsular Malaysia while Perlis with an area of 795 square kilometres
is the smallest state.
The state of Sabah consists of five divisions, namely Tawau, Sandakan,
Kudat, West Coast and Interior. Sarawak comprises nine divisions, namely
Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Miri, Sarikei, Limbang, Kapit, Bintulu and Kota
Samarahan. The Federal Territory of Labuan with an area of 91 square
kilometres, is situated off the west coast of Sabah.
Unlike its jungles and inland areas, which can be visited and enjoyed in
all weathers, Malaysia experiences two ‘seasons’ for beach related
activities. Due to the monsoon, the coasts have opposing ‘high’ seasons.
The east coast gets most of its rain from November to February and the
west, from March to April. So if planning on snorkelling or other
seaside activities choose your coastal hotel or resort according to the
season.
Malaysia is a
multi-racial
country. The principal racial groups are the Malays, followed by Chinese
and Indians. Other significant groups are the indigenous races of
Sarawak and Sabah, that is, the Dayaks, Kadazans(Dusuns), Bajaus,
Melanaus and Muruts; and the aborigines of Peninsular Malaysia. There
are also Europeans dan Eurasians.
 Kuala Lumpur, literally meaning muddy confluence, has the romance of a
history as a shanty mining outpost for the lucrative and turbulent tin
trade of the 1800s. Today, it is a bustling metropilis and federal
capital of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is also the centry's centre of
commerce, politics, entertainment and international activities.
This still thriving confluence of the Gombak and Klang Rivers, draws
steady streams of tourists drawn by its rich cultural heritage. Chief of
this is Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Merdeka Square, where the
Union Jack was lowered for the last time on August 31, 1957; and
replaced by the flag of newly born Malaysia.
Although the city's skyline boasts of Petronas Twin Towers of the famed
452 metres, the ultra-modern metroplis still proudly retains much of its
old world charm depicted in the awe-inspiring buildings of the country's
colonial times and quaint pre-war shophouses. But the real cultural gem
actually lies in the way business is still conducted.This spectacular and special city is endowed with a "garden city"
ambience, with brightly decorated tree-lined streets and brightly
coloured shrubs "flowering" dazzling neon lights.
Kuala Lumpur's many natural delights include the Lake Gardens with its
Hibiscus and Orchid Gardens, and also its wonderful bird, deer and
butterfly parks. Kuala Lumpur offers the tourist sojourns into its past
through its National Museum and many other more specific-themed museums.
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