Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in South-East Asia. Malaysian society is based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs. The Chinese are mostly active in trade and Malays mostly in government. Government policies initiated in the 1970s have somewhat blurred that distinction and one can find representatives of all races in one field or the other.

Peninsular Malaysia is the most popular among visitors. Even the peninsula itself is divided into the East Coast and West Coast, by the Titiwangsa mountain range. The West Coast is more developed and holds more attractions while the East Coast boasts a rustic charm. The leatherback turtles make annual visits here to lay their eggs on parts of the East Coast shores..

The country's capital city of Kuala Lumpur is located on the West Coast and is the ideal starting point to the rest of Malaysia. The city, best known by its acronym "KL", is bustling with activity and holds many pleasant surprises for visitors, be it shopping, sightseeing or relaxation.

When you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of KL, you can head for the hills, or more precisely, Cameron Highlands or Fraser's Hill. Both were developed by the British as retreats during the colonial era, and have maintained their charm as a cool and relaxing getaway. Alternatively, you can take a break to Langkawi Island, visit historic Melaka (once called "Malacca") or Penang (also dubbed the Pearl of the Orient). Both Melaka and Penang are rich in culture and history, being the sites where the Portuguese and British first set a foothold on ancient Malaya. All the major towns and cities are easily accessible by expressways and roads.

If you are the adventurous type, your destination should be Sarawak or Sabah (in East Malaysia), with their spectacular wildlife, native longhouses, the awe-inspiring Mulu caves and Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia. The mountain offers a spectacular view of the sunrise to visitors who are game enough to make the trek. Pulau Sipadan offers some of the best scuba diving in the world.

The Southeast Asian country Malaysia is a federation of 13 states, which was formed in 1963. Prior to 1963, the Federation of Malaya was known as Persekutuan Tanah Melayu in Malay. The name Malaysia was adopted in 1963 when Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak joined the Federation of Malaya. Singapore left the federation in 1965.

The capital city of Malayasia is Kuala Lumpur while Putrajaya is the newly created administrative capital for the federal government of Malaysia. The prime minister's office moved in 1999 and the move is expected to be completed in 2005. Kuala Lumpur remains the seat of parliament, as well as the commercial and financial capital of the country. Other major cities include George Town, Ipoh, Johor Bahru and Kuching.

The two distinct parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by the South China Sea, share a largely similar landscape. In both West and East Malaysia coastal plains rise to densely forested hills and mountains. The highest peak of Malayasia is Mount Kinabalu at 4,095.2 metres (13,435.7 ft) on the island of Borneo. The southernmost tip of continental Asia is Tanjung Piai which is located in the southern state of Johor. The Strait of Malacca, lying between Sumatra and West Malaysia, is arguably the most important shipping lane in the world.

Malaysia's population is comprised of many ethnic groups, with the politically dominant Malays making up the majority. About a quarter of the population are Chinese. These Chinese have been playing an important role in trade and business. Malaysians of Indian descent comprise about 10% of the population. About 90% of the Indian community is Tamil but various other groups like Malayalis, Punjabis and Telugus are also present. Non-Malay indigenous groups make up more than half of the state of Sarawak's population, constitute about 66% of Sabah's population, and also exist in much smaller numbers on the Peninsula, where they are collectively called Orang Asli. There are dozens of non-Malay ethnic groups who share some general cultural similarities. Other Malaysians also include those of, inter alia, European, Middle Eastern, Cambodian, and Vietnamese descent.

The total population is 24,385,858. Population distribution in Malaysia is uneven, with some 20 million residents concentrated on the Malay Peninsula. The life expectancy of Malaysian population is 72.5.

Malaysia is a multi-religious society, and Islam is the country's official religion. The main religions are Islam (60.4%), Buddhism (19.2%), Hinduism (6.3%), and Christianity (9.1%mostly in East Malaysia, i.e. Borneo). The aforementioned figures may be skewed as they do not take into account the fact that all Malay persons are officially regarded and treated as Muslim, regardless of private belief.

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society, which consists 65% Malays and other indigenous tribes, 25% Chinese, 7% Indians. The native language of Malays is Malay (Bahasa Melayu). Bahasa Malaysia which is largely similar to Bahasa Melayu in most practical terms which is the national language of the country.