Malaysia — 34 million inhabitants, 3 ethnic groups (Malays/Chinese/Indians), country of Petronas Towers.
- Malaysia is divided into 2 parts Malay Peninsula (western) + Borneo (Sabah + Sarawak, eastern). Sunda Strait between them (700 km).
- Petronas Towers (Kuala Lumpur) — world's tallest twin towers 452 m, 88 floors (1998-2004). Skyway on 41st floor. Were world's tallest buildings 1998-2004.
- Malaysia has 3 official ethnic groups Malays (69%), Chinese (23%), Indians (7%). Plus Borneo ethnic tribes: Iban, Kadazan, Bidayuh.
- Borneo — world's 3rd largest island (after Greenland and New Guinea). 1/3 = Malaysia, 2/3 = Indonesia (Kalimantan), <1% Brunei. Old primary forest.
- Malaysia has 4 UNESCO sites Mulu Caves (Borneo, largest SE Asia caves), Kinabalu Park (4095 m highest SE Asia), Melaka, George Town (Penang).
- Malay language (Bahasa Melayu) — very simple No declensions, tenses, genders. Easy to learn. Common in Brunei, Indonesia (as Bahasa Indonesia), Singapore.
- Malaysia produces 11% of global palm oil (2nd after Indonesia). Low cost, high profits, but devastation of Borneo + Sumatra forests (orangutans).
- Kuala Lumpur has the cheapest living among modern world metropolises $1000/month = comfortable life. Hence 50,000 Polish emigrants (mainly programmers + businessmen).
- Malaysia bans alcohol for Muslims (60% of inhabitants). Non-Muslims can drink freely. In KL many luxury bars.
- East Malaysia (Borneo) — 200 tribes with their own languages Iban (most famous, former headhunters), Kadazan (rice agriculture), Bidayuh, Murut. UNESCO all protected.
Sources: Department of Statistics Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia, UNESCO World Heritage.