A Multicultural Nation

The one unique feature that makes Malaysia "Malaysia", is our racially diverse and multicultural population. The country's population of estimated 26 million people is made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous groups from Sabah and Sarawak.

Thanks to this diversity, you will have wide ranging experiences here from the varied languages that are spoken including Bahasa Malaysia (the Malay language), which is the National language to English, which is our main medium of instruction, as well as Chinese and Indian dialects, to the amazing array of cuisine to tuck into and the many festive celebrations of our various races.

Since its independence in 1957, Malaysia has seen tremendous progress and is one of the most prosperous countries in this region. While it is an Islamic state, the country and our people are very modern, liberal and forward thinking. Apart from Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and other religions are practiced freely.

Climate

Malaysia enjoys a tropical climate, which means either hot and dry or hot and wet. Daily temperatures range from 21 Celcius to 35 Celcius with most days being hot, humid and sunny. There are rainy seasons, which provide a welcome respite to the constant heat. You will find that most buildings and homes in Malaysia are air-conditioned.

Light clothing, especially those made of cotton, will be your best bet in our tropical climate.

Food

If there is one thing Malaysians are known for, it's our obsession with food. Here, you will never go hungry, as you will be able to find food around every corner 24 hours. Choice is plentiful and variations are endless

Pick from the cooking styles of the Malay, Chinese, Indian and other ethnic groups, or a hybrid of the various styles like Nyonya cooking, for a real Malaysian dining experience. Or if you prefer something you might be more familiar with, there's also plenty of Western-style food.

Dining out is relatively affordable at hawker stalls, coffee shops and food courts. Expect to pay between RM5 to RM10 for a meal at places like these. There are also plenty of restaurants and fast food outlets to pick from as well - but naturally these are somewhat pricier.