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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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