Malaysia

Malaysia is worldwide famous for its tropical islands- 878 in total. However, Malaysia also has bustling cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang but also a stunning nature. Overall, Malaysia is definitely worth it. Are you planning a Malaysia holiday soon? Check out our best Malaysia articles to get some helpful travel tips and suggestions from the locals.

Basic Information About Malaysia

Population

Malaysia is home to 32 million people. Around 48.8% of the total population consists of ethnic Bumiputera. The main minority ethnic groups are Malaysia Chinese, Malaysian Indian and other.

Official Language

The official language is Malay.

Currency

Malaysia’s official currency is the Malaysian ringgit (currency code MYR). One Euro/USD is equal to roughly 4.7-4.3 MYR.

Geography

With a territory of 330,803 square kilometers, Malaysia is the 20th largest country in Asia. Malaysia has maritime boundaries with Vietnam and the Philippines and shares the borders with Thailand in West Malaysia, and Indonesia and Brunei in East Malaysia. It is also linked to Singapore by a narrow causeway and a bridge.

Climate

Malaysia has a tropical rain forest climate with four different seasons. Malaysia has two seasons, the Southwest Monsoon (May to September) and the Northeast Monsoon (October to )March..

Economy & Budget

Malaysia is the third wealthiest nation in Southeast Asia after the smaller city-states of Singapore and Brunei. It has a newly industrialized market economy, which is relatively open and state-oriented. The average monthly income is $700-800, making it a relatively budget-friendly country for traveling. Backpackers can survive with around $40 per day, while mid-range travelers spend between $70 and $90 per day on average.