Malaysia today is a country that endlessly attracts millions of visitors each year with its incredible blend of cultures and religions, the diversity of architecture and abundance of various exotic dishes. It is home to one of the tallest buildings in the world - the Petronas Twin Towers, the fourth tallest in the world telecommunications tower, the largest indoor bird park, two wonderful aquariums - and these all is just a part of a long list of endless accomplishments and records of Malaysia. Many people return to this tropical paradise each year just to re-experience the kindness and warm hospitality of its inhabitants. Malaysia’s horizons are stretched from the rocky heights of Mount Kinabalu located in Borneo Island to the azure waters washing its fabulous coastline. Promising diving opportunities constantly attract experienced divers from all around the world, as well as cool weather of Cameron Highlands which has long been a popular place not only for Europeans but also for the visitors from the neighboring Asian countries. Malaysia always has something new and entertaining to offer to its visitors regardless of their age and interests…

Geographical position

Malaysia is conveniently located in the heart of Southeast Asia between the second and seventh degrees north of the equator. The South China Sea divides Malaysia to the west ( Peninsular ) and East ( Borneo Island ) parts. It’s total area is 329,750 square km. Peninsular part of the country borders with Thailand in the north and Singapore in the south. States Sabah and Sarawak located on Borneo border with Indonesia ( Kalimantan ), and Brunei.

Climate in Malaysia

The country's territory stretches in the equatorial and subequatorial climatic zones. The average annual temperature here is 25-28C, and rainfall ranges from 1500 to 2500 mm. Daytime temperatures vary from 28-32C, and is often even higher. Malaysia rarely presents undesirable climatic surprises to its guests who are generally pleased with the good weather. The rainy season is no different in abrupt changes of weather conditions, and is often expressed in short-lived tropical storms that will not prevent you from the comfortable rest in Malaysia.

Malaysia is a federal state consisting of 13 states and 3 federal territories. Nine of 11 states in the western (peninsular) part of Malaysia are headed by hereditary rulers.

Political system

Political system in Malaysia represents a federal constitutional monarchy with an elected federal head of state Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Prime Minister of Malaysia as a head of government. The monarch and his deputy are elected by the Board of hereditary rulers from among its members. Supreme Ruler performs representative functions of a head of the state.

Religion
In Malaysia all the religions peacefully coexist together, since the Constitution has allowed freedom to all confessions, but the official religion is Islam.

Language
The state language of Malaysia is Malay, but periodicals come in four languages - Malay, English, Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese and South-Minian dialects) as well as Tamil, but the majority of the population freely speaks English. Chinese, Indians and other nationalities living here, also speak their native languages apart from Malay and English.

Customs in Malaysia

Customs here is loyal to the guests and rarely checks the baggage. Nevertheless, the country is rather strict in laws against the drug trade and trafficking for which death penalty is imposed. Allowed import: duty-free one liter of spirits, a liter of wine or liquor, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225 grams of tobacco, perfume and cosmetics in an amount not exceeding 200 MYR, souvenirs - cost no more than 200 MYR. The import of goods from Israel, coins or banknotes of Israel, garments with the printed texts from Koran, pornography is prohibited. In the case of the export of expensive antiques you must have an official permission. When purchasing coral or leather products, rare or protected animals it is kindly advised not to throw away the packaging in which they were acquired and keep the receipt from the store.

Visa
Depending on your citizenship you can get 15, 30 or 90 days visa free stay in Malaysia upon arrival. However Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with some countries (eg. Israel), and citizens of some countries need visa to enter Malaysia (eg. Afganistan). Detailed information you can find following this link to immigration department in Kuala Lumpur International Airport: www.klia.com.my (search for Immigration Regulations).

Economy
Malaysia can be called as one of the most developed countries of the "young tigers" of Southeast Asia. Economic indicators show a steady growth of its economy for many years in a row. Industrial and agricultural economy of this state is focused on exports, the main items of which are palm oil, petroleum, rubber, tin and iron ore, natural gas, manufacture, wood (and products thereof), and pepper, tea and cocoa (in small amounts).

Capital of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is a capital of Malaysia. It was founded in 1857. On February 1, 1972 it received the status of the city and since 1974 - the status of the federal territory.
In 1999 Putrajaya was declared a new administrative and government center of Malaysia, but does not carry the status of capital.

Time
Malaysian time is the same for East and West territories and is GMT +8 hours.

Telephone communication

Roaming services are offered here by three main mobile phone operators: Maxis, Celcom and Digi. Local SIM card can be purchased in almost every store selling mobile phones, and it will cost no more than $5. The balance can be easily topped up at the same stores. IDD-cards for international calls from Malaysian phones are also widely spread.

Electricity
Mains voltage is 220V. In the majority of the country ground pins outlets are used. This problem can be easily solved by asking the adapter from the attendants in the hotel.

Water
Quality of drinking water in the country is not bad as a whole, but we recommend drinking either boiled or filtered water.

Tipping
Basically tipping in Malaysia is not so common. In most restaurants and cafes tipping is already included in the bill as a "10% Service Charge", but if you enjoyed the service, you can leave 5-10RM as a compliment. Taxi drivers and porters will be thankful to you if you give them small tip.

Transportation
Airlines
Several dozens of world airlines take regular flights to international airports in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Johor Bahru and Kuching. The most popular Malaysian Airline can be regarded as a national carrier Malaysia Airlines and a low-cost airline AirAsia. They actively compete with each other in the market, offering affordable fares and several flights daily in each direction domestic and abroad.

Taxi
Taxis here are distinguished by color and scallops on the roof. This is a fairly inexpensive form of transport which is preferred by most tourists. In Kuala Lumpur, taxi drivers are obliged to go over the taxi meter. At airports and some other places taxi coupons are offered. There is also a midnight surcharge of 50% from 00:00 to 06:00am. On islands and in small towns prices are negotiable, but taxi drivers are honest enough and stick to conventional prices. Virtually every shopping mall has Taxi points, where the customers are often asked to buy a ticket at a special counter at a fixed price.

Public transport

On the mainland there are fairly good public transport links between all the cities. With regard to inland transport in the cities, here we still recommend a taxi since the difference of 2-3 passengers of bus fare comparing to taxi fare is not so significant. In Kuala Lumpur, we recommend you to take a ride on the monorail around the downtown, which can offer its open beautiful views of the city.

Motor transport

If you do decide to sit here behind the wheel, you can enjoy the beautiful roads of Malaysia, with total length of more than 28000 km. Best country roads - are chargeable, yet there is always a free alternative to any chargeable road. The maximum permissible speed is 110 km / hour. Medium class car rental is about $40 per day.

Rail links

Connecting major cities of west Malaysia, the rail network stretches from neighboring Singapore in the south to Thailand in the north. Passenger trains of the first and second class have air-conditioned compartments for one or two persons. Commuter train ( KTM Komuter ) goes from Port Klang to Seremban ( Negri-Sembilan state ) via several satellite cities around Kuala Lumpur.

Overseas traffic

Ferry service connects the most famous islands with the mainland. Despite the modern, highly developed road infrastructure ( length of Pinang bridge is 13,5 km ), ferry service between the town of Butterworth and Penang island is very popular. Centralized extensive line of marine shipping and ferry service between sea and river ports provides a quick and timely delivery of goods and passengers to almost anywhere in the mainland and islands.