The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Located between latitudes 2º and 7º North, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsular Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are bounded by Indonesia while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei.
The federation comprises 13 states and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya. Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. The country enjoys a humid tropical climate with warm weather all year round, the only variation being its dry and wet seasons. Temperatures range from 21ºC to 32ºC with annual rainfall between 2,000 and 2,500mm. Manufacturing constitutes the largest single component of Malaysia’s economy. Tourism and primary commodities such as petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are other major contributors to the economy. The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM) with a current exchange rate of about RM 3.50 to the US dollar.
The country has a total area of 329,758 sq km and a multiracial population of 25 million, comprising Malays, who make up about 57% of the population, with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest. Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialects. Islam is the official religion but all other religions are freely practised. The government is a Parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system. The Head of State is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (King) and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.
Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, is centrally located along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is the home of the Petronas Twin Towers, until recently the tallest building in the world. Kuala Lumpur abounds with a vibrant blend of shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment opportunities. Located beyond the city but within easy reach are various tourist attractions, such as Templer’s Park to the north, the Sunway Lagoon theme park in Bandar Sunway, the Mines Wonderland theme park in Sungai Besi and Genting Highlands with its popular casino to the northeast.
This year – 2007 - Malaysia celebrates 50 years of independence. To commemorate the milestone event, the year has been designated as “Visit Malaysia Year”. The month of August, especially, will be filled with a myriad of parades, cultural performances, street shows and carnivals. For more than 30 years, Merdeka (Independence) Day celebrations on 31 August have been marked by grand parades involving uniformed personnel, corporate players, school children, cultural dancers, athletes and Malaysians from all walks of life. However, in recent years, the event has grown into a much anticipated and exciting month long celebration nationwide.
This forthcoming Golden Jubilee celebration marks a significant milestone in the history of the nation. Join the enthusiastic crowds at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on the eve of Merdeka Day for the countdown to the momentous event. Another highlight of the year will be the Citrawarna or “Colours and Flavours of Malaysia” parade, an annual event showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the country. The event will be held on its grandest scale yet. Many other colourful events will be held throughout the year.
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