Page 75 - Asian Paradises 2019-20

— Malaysia —

MALAYSIA

Geographically divided into two, Malaysia has a hectares of virgin jungle, and more than 1.49 million hectares
peninsula stretching from Thailand to Singapore, of conservation area. Peninsular Malaysia’s great Taman Negara
and is blessed with enchanting islands, beautiful National Park is one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests.
mountains, tropical flora and fauna, as well as Taman Negara National Park straddles the borders of Kelantan,
modern, thriving metropolises. Terengganu and Pahang, the latter part being the most visited.
Endau-Rompin, which covers the boundary between Johor and
Capital and major centres Pahang, boasts many unique and endemic varieties of plants that
Malaysia consists of six major regions with Kuala Lumpur the were discovered within the centuries-old forest. These include
capital city. Peninsular Malaysia’s central region is made up the magnificent fan palm, climbing bamboo and the slender
of the states of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca, while stemmed walking stick palm.
the north is occupied by Penang, Perlis, Perak and Kedah. Moths and butterflies of every kind, and deer and wild boar
Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang make up the east coast, can be found in this lowland forest, one of the few remaining in
and in the south is the state of Johor. The states of Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia. On the Borneo side of Malaysia, Gunung
Sarawak are on the northern third of the island of Borneo. Each Mulu National Park in North Sarawak is one of the state’s most
region has unique qualities in terms of features, local culture, popular sites. It boasts an extensive limestone cave system—
food and historical sites.
including the largest cave chamber in the world, the Sarawak
The people Chamber—and is home to the second highest mountain peak
Malaysia is a fascinating mix of ethnicities, ranging from the in Sarawak as well as many plants and animal species. Kinabalu
Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous Orang Asli (Original Park has the Poring Hot Springs, and Mt Kinabalu, the highest
People) of Peninsular Malaysia to the diverse tribal communities mountain in Southeast Asia. Another cave site, Niah National
of Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia. Although the national Park is one of the largest limestone caves in the world. On
language is Bahasa Melayu (Malay), English is widely spoken the wild side, Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is set in a virgin
amongst the population of around 31 million. equatorial rainforest and has rare plants, animals and birds.
Nature The sights
Malaysia has a precious collection of national parks and wildlife Kuala Lumpur (KL) delights visitors with its colonial
reserves, which have been established to protect flora and fauna architecture, which still manages to stand out against the shining
unique to the region. More than 60 percent of the country is office towers and multi-lane highways. Further south, waterfront
under rainforest cover, home to over 8000 species of flora in developments are changing the face of Malacca (Melaka),
Peninsular Malaysia alone, as well as 2000 tree species. The Malaysia’s oldest town.
fascinating wildlife in the country includes elephants, rhinoceros,
tigers, leopards, tapirs, sun bears, orangutans and gibbons. The island of Penang, the oldest British settlement in Malaysia,
is one of the country’s top tourist attractions. It is renown for
The designated Permanent Forest Estate covers 3.8 million its beach resorts and the historical George Town, noted for its

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