‘Selamat Datang’ is the traditional Malaysian greeting that welcomes visitors to this vibrant and exotic country. Ethnically diverse cultures share the same lush landscape and create a fusion of cultural styles, cooking and religions that is distinctly Malaysian. Festivals throughout the year mark the Malay, Chinese and Indian holidays, as well as those of the indigenous Orang Asli and the tribes of Sabah and Sarawak.

Malaysia is a country with two distinct parts. Peninsula Malaysia constitutes the long fringe of land, extending down from Asia, which borders Thailand and Singapore. The South

China Sea separates the mainland from the less populated East Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak. The dense jungles of Sabah and Sarawak support abundant plant and wildlife and Mt Kinabalu in Sabah stakes its claim as the highest peak in South East Asia.

Full country name: Federation of  Malaysia
Area: 329,750sq Km
Population: 24,821,300
Capital: Kuala lumpur
People: 50% Malay, 33% Chinese, 9% Indian, plus indigenous tribes such as Orang Asli and Iban
Language: Bahasa Melayu (official), Chinese (Hakka and Hokkien dialects), English, Tamil
Religion: Muslim, Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Hindu, Tribal
GPD: US$99 billion
Major export: Tin, Rubber, Palm oil, Timber, Oil, Textiles, Electronics
Major trading parteners: USA, Japan, Singapore
Time: GTM+8
International telephone Code: 60