Fast Facts About Malaysia
Geography
Situated 2-7° north of the Equatorial line, Malaysia comprises two distinct regions — West Malaysia (also known as Peninsular Malaysia) and East Malaysia (also called Malaysian Borneo).
Of the 13 states within Malaysia, 11 are in Peninsular Malaysia and two, Sabah and Sarawak, are on the island of Borneo.
Bordered by Thailand to the north, Singapore to the south, the Strait of Malacca to the west and the South China Sea to the east, West Malaysia is actually composed of 11 states and two federal territories, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Aside from Kuala Lumpur, other popular cities like Penang and Malacca, and many beach destinations, lie within West Malaysia.
East Malaysia, renowned for its stunning, often remote eco-areas with abundant flora and fauna, also has one federal territory, Labuan, a small island chain just off Borneo’s northern coast. East Malaysia shares its southern border with Indonesia and its northern border with Brunei. The South China Sea lies to the west and north, while the Sulu Sea is to the northeast.
Population
Malaysia has a population of more than 31 million people, four-fifths of whom reside in West Malaysia.
Major Ethnicities
Ethnic diversity reigns in this multicultural nation. Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other indigenous groups including the Orang Asli, Dayaks, Kadazan-Dusun, Melanau, Murut and others all call Malaysia home.
Many citizens are of mixed descent, including the Baba-Nyonyas and Eurasians of Portuguese and other European ancestry, as well as other immigrant Asian ethnicities. Overall, the composition of the population is as follows: Malays (69.6 percent), Chinese (22.6 percent), Indians (6.8 percent), and others (1.0 percent).
Religion
Although the official religion of Malaysia is Islam, all other religions can be practiced freely. Visitors will discover that the country has an abundance of temples, mosques, churches and varied places of worship. Muslims practicing Islam in Malaysia are primarily tolerant and do not subscribe to the fundamental beliefs of extremists.
Language
Bahasa Malaysia is the official language, but English is widely spoken, particularly in Malaysia’s urban and tourist areas. Reflecting its multicultural milieu, other languages spoken include Tamil, Punjabi and a rich selection of Chinese dialects.
Climate
Malaysia is known for its warm tropical climate. Travelers typically can expect pleasant temperatures from 70° F to 90° F. Best time to visit? That depends on what activities are planned, but May through September is usually the driest season of the year.
The weather is influenced by regional monsoons, with the rainy season between November and February for the East Coast of West Malaysia and the states in East Malaysia.
Entry Requirements
US Travelers: There are two important conditions to know about entry into Malaysia. Firstly, to enter the country, your passport must be valid for at least six months. Secondly, a visa is not required if the traveler — either business or leisure — is staying for 90 days or less.
Canadian Travelers: Canadians do not need a visa to travel to Malaysia and can stay for 3 months without one, as long as their passports have at least 6 months of validity.
Time Zone
Malaysia is eight hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Meridian Time), 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time is not applicable here.
Electricity and Voltage
Malaysia’s electric supply is on a 220-240-volt 50-cycle system. Visitors from countries using different electricity voltage systems are advised to bring their converters and adapters.
Getting Around
Malaysia has excellent domestic air links serviced by Malaysia Airlines as well as carries such as AirAsia and Firefly. The country has a well-developed and efficient public transportation system of buses, taxis as well as trains. GrabCar and other e-hailing services are also available in Malaysia.