Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia consists of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. The Malay Peninsula contains the state of Sarawak, while the island of Sabah is the province of Malaysian Borneo. The landmass of Malaysia is over 300 thousand square kilometers, and there are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. A visit to Malaysia is a must for any traveler!
By the 1920s, large inflows of migrants had created a multi-ethnic population. According to the writer J.S. Furnivall, the plural society is characterized by a single political administration. Its different racial groups are not socially or culturally integrated. Although many migrants originally intended to stay for only three to five years, increasing numbers were having children and becoming permanent residents. This demographic shift has had a profound effect on the social structure of Malaysia.
Peninsular Malaysia has a mountainous core, containing parallel mountain ranges aligned north-south. The Main Range, a 300-mile-long mountain range, contains peaks that reach more than seven thousand feet. The mountain range has many caves and subterranean passages. In addition, the coastal lowlands are generally flat, ranging from ten to fifty miles wide, with narrower regions along the east coast.
In the 1990s, Malaysia experienced another economic boom, with its economy booming at historically high rates of eight to nine percent a year. The government was eager to attract foreign investment, which fueled the construction of the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, making it one of the tallest buildings in the world. But this boom was short-lived. Malaysians had to struggle with rising costs and mounting financial obligations for another four years.
The country’s geographic features also contribute to its fast-growing economy. Malaysia is a multiethnic, multi-religious federation located in the South China Sea. Its population consists of ethnic Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous groups. Although Malaysia’s economy is booming, it’s still characterized by racial and religious divides. If you’re interested in learning more about the country’s culture, take the time to visit Malaysia.
