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| Geography Malaysia consists of two distinct parts. Peninsular Malaysia(also known as West Malaysia) is the long finger of land extending down from Asia pointing towards Indonesia and Australia accounting for some 40% of the country’s area.The balance of the land area is made up of Sabah and Sarawak(also called East Malaysia) which occupy the northern segment of the island of Borneo. It is situated on coordinates 2° 30 N and 112° 30 E, approximately 140 km north of the Equator.Singapore is to the south of Peninsular Malaysia separated by the Straits of Johor but connected by two causeways. |
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| Area The total land area of Malaysia is 329,750 sq km(land 328,550 sq km, 1,200 water) of which 129,635 sq km is in Peninsular Malaysia 76,115 sq. km in Sabah and in Sarawak is 124,000.sq km, slightly larger than New Mexico. |
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| Climate Malaysia is an equatorial country with tropical climate, experiencing relatively uniform temperature, abundant rainfall and high humidity. Rain is felt throughout the year but tends to be heaviest from September to December for the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia. On the east coast and in Sarawak and Sabah, October to February is the wet season. Relatively drier conditions are felt from June to August. Cooler months are from December to January, while warmer months are from May to July.The average daily temperature is about 28° C (82° F), and ranges from 77-91°F/25-33°C. Relative humidity ranges from 70% to more than 90% by day. |
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| Time Zone Malaysia is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. |
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| Nationality Malaysian(s) |
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| Languages Malay is the national language and the language of administration although English is still used in the courts and institutions of higher learning. English, Chinese (Mandarin and major dialects in Hokkien, Cantonese and Hakka) together with Malay are widely used as the languages of commerce. Besides Tamil, some of the other languages spoken by Indians are Malayalam, Punjabi, Telegu, Hindi and Bengali. You can get along quite happily with English throughout Malaysia and although it is not the official language, it is often the linking language between the various ethnic groups especially the middle class. Over in East Malaysia, native languages are spoken amongst the indigenous groups including the Ibans, Bidayuhs, Kadazans and Muruts. |
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| Land Boundaries Total of 2,669 km with bordering countries Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km and Thailand 506 km |
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| Coastline 4,675 km(Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km) |
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| Land Use Arable:3%, permanent crops:12%, forest and woodlands:68%, others:17% |
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| Ethnic Groups Bumiputras (Malays and other indigenous groups): 58%, Chinese: 26%, Indian: 7%, others 9%. |
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| Ethnic Groups Bumiputras (Malays and other indigenous groups): 58%, Chinese: 26%, Indian: 7%, others 9%. |
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| Religions The constitution provides for freedom of worship and almost all residents professed some religious faith or belief. Islam, the national religion is embraced by all Malays making up 55% of the population. Buddhists formed 17% and Taoists 8%, the latter being classified as those who believe in the teachings of the Chinese sages(Confucius, Mencius, Lao Zi), practise ancestor worship, or belong to other Chinese sects. Christians made up 12% and the balance are made up of Hindus(mostly Indians) and other religions. |
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| Currency & Banking The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is issued in RM100, RM50, RM10, RM5, RM2 and RM1 in notes and RM1, 50 sen, 20 sen, 10 sen, 5 sen and 1 sen in coins. 1 Malaysian Ringgit (RM) =100 sen. Major credit cards are accepted in cities and large towns. Banking hours (except for states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) are from 10 am to 4 pm, Mondays to Fridays and 9.30 am to 11.30 am on Saturdays except for the first Saturday of the month when banks are closed. In Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, banks are closed on Fridays and operated from 9.30 am to 11.30 am on Thursday except for the first Thursday of the month when banks are closed. For all other days (Saturday through Wednesday), the opening hours are from 10 am to 4 pm. All commercial banks are authorised foreign exchange dealers and licensed money changers can be found in urban centres, entry/exit points and shopping complexes. Foreign currencies and travellers'cheques can also be exchanged at all major hotels. The Malaysian Ringgit is currently pegged to RM3.80 to US$1.00. Presently there is a restriction on taking more than RM1,000 in cash out of the country and restriction of RM10,000 equivalent applies to other currencies. |
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