Now I'd like to tell you something about the country my father comes from: Malaysia! I've also already been to Malaysia 3 times and am fascinated by that country and it's culture!
My Dad's from the captial city Kuala Lumpur and is a Chinese. He has 5 sisters and 1 brother so lots of aunts for me there :) He also went to a Chinese school and speaks most accents of the Chinese language. The Chinese population lies at 36% in Malaysia so lots of Chinese people around. And believe me the Chinese food tastes soo delicious!

Well for those who are still wondering where Malaysia is, here is a little Map:

Malaysia is devided into 2 Landpieces: the malay peninsula (West Malaysia) and a part of the Isle Borneo (East Malaysia), 600 Km east the peninsula in the southasian Ocean. The country extends to 329 750 Km² and is devided into 13 federal states.
Malaysia has a tropical climate and it is enjoyable warm the whole year long. It lies in the heart of the tropes and at the equator. Der daily average varies between 22° and 32°, with a median of 27°. Humidity lies between 78 - 90%!! (and believe me when you are not used to is, it is awfully humid!)

Malaysia

Area:
329,750 sq km (204,445 sq mi)

Residents
Population: ca. 21,3 Million.
Cities: Kuala Lumpur (Capital) ca. 1,5 Million
Georgetown/Penang ca. 300.000
Ipoh ca. 300.000
Kuching (Capital of Sarawak) ca. 200.000
Kota Kinabalu (Capital of Sabah) ca. 100.000.

People:
50% Malay, 33% Chinese, 9% Indian, plus indigenous tribes such as Orang Asli (about 500.000 people)and Iban

The Chinese in Malaysia came from various Parts of their mother country. The esp. live at the West Coast of Malaysia, the Cities and industrial Areas! Most of them are business people who support the Malay economy. Among the Chinese there are Cantonese, Hokkien (my family!), Hakka and Hainanese

Government:
Parliamentary monarchy

Head of state:
King: Tuanku Salehuddin Abdul Aziz Shah ibni al-Marhum Hisamuddin Alam Shah

Language
The State Langauge of Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia. Also Chinese, Tamil is spoken there. English is an important commerce and economy language.

Religion:
52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Taoist, 8% Christian, 8% Hindu, 2% tribal
At the year 1000 the Islam came to Malaysia! Before that the Buddhism and Hinduism where the main religions. The Islam is also the State religion!

Climate
Kuala Lumpur: air temperature (average max.) = 30°
Malacca, Port Dickson: air temperature = 33°; Water temperature (all-the-year) = 25°
Penang: Air Temperature = 33°; Water Temperature= 25°
Kuching: Ait Temperature= 34°; Water Temperature= 26°

Time Change
Central European Time (MEZ) +7 hours
While the European Summer time the time difference is +6 hours

Opening Hours
Shops: No compulsory Opening Hours. Shopping Complexes and lots of Shops are open 7 days a week. The Opening Hours vary between 9 am to 10 pm

Clothing
Clothes for casual wear made of breathable materials are required the whole year long! For trips to the mountains you should also take some warm clothes with you. Good Sunschades are required as well. Outside of the Tourist Areas women should take care of their clothing style because of the mostly Islamic population (no shorts, short skirts etc.) esp. at countryfied areas!


Animals
There are still lots of rare animals living in the protection of the Rain Forest! So you can find Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos, Orang Utans and other monkeys, Snakes, Wild boars and Deers there. Also a huge Birdworld is to be find inside the Rain Forest and also lots of exotic butterflies can be find there. To keep this biodiversity Malaysia built a lot of National parks.

Currency
Currency: Malay Ringgit (RM)
1 Malay Ringgit = 100 Sen
Exchange:
1 DM = ca. 1,70 RM
1 Euro = ca. 3,32 RM
1 US-$ = ca. 3,80 RM

Behaviour/Safety
The trade with Drugs will be punished by death in Malaysia (already the possession of small amounts will be sentenced with death!

GDP: US$99 billion
GDP per head: US$4530
Annual growth: 2%
Inflation: 4%
Major products/industries: Tin, rubber, palm oil, timber, oil, textiles, electronics
Major trading partners: Singapore, Japan, USA

Chinese Market in the Petaling Street at the Evening in Chinatown/ Kuala Lumpur

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