The Beginning

Malaysia, Truly Asia. Based on the motto, it is obvious that Malaysia is truly an Asian country with multicultural society.  With the blend diverse ethnic groups, cultures and beliefs, Malaysia host a range of celebrations and festivals throughout the year.

The following races are the common ones in the society of Malaysia for instance, the Malay, Chinese and Indian but of course there other exotic races such as Bidayuh, Kadazan, Iban and so many tribes from the Borneo, the other region of Malaysia.

The population of this country is approximately 29 million people which consist of 13 states starting from the peninsular of Malaysia and the Malaysian Borneo territories, Sabah and Sarawak which is situated across the sea,  faces the south of China sea. 

On the west cost of the Peninsular of Malaysia is where Kuala Lumpur, the capital city lies consisting of approximately 1.627 million since 2010.

The majority 28 million of the citizens of Malaysia live on the peninsula with a mountainous ridge runs down the center of the peninsula, separating the densely forested and sparsely populated east coast from the west.

Bordered by Thailand to the north  and connected to Singapore in the south by peninsular causeway and a bridge. This big land also occupies the extreme south of the mainland in Southeast Asia, lying between 2 and 7 degrees north of the Equator.

HERE'S A SNEAK PEAK OF THE MAP!

 

THE CAPITAL CITY- KUALA LUMPUR

The most consummate Asian cyber-city, historical temples, and mosque rob shoulders where most of the people from this city works 10 to 15 hours a day!  Like any Asian countries , Malaysia is not an exceptions for the workaholic citizens! 

Throughout the years from a small town in 1850's, Kuala Lumpur has evolved to become the financial and commercial capital which is the principal gateway of the country. Highly build with one of best skyscrapers and buildings, Kuala Lumpur certainly promises a very strategic and homely place to live as it is equipped with all the modern transportation and high technology equipments and machines.

On the other hand, this town still possess a rich cultural heritage that is revealed by its colonial architecture, mosques and temples.

 DID YOU KNOW?

A very interesting fact about the meaning of Kuala Lumpur itself which comes from the native language of the country, Malay which means 'Muddy Land' mainly because the people has told that this town used to be bit of a muddy place when it was first discovered and established in 1857. It is derived from its location at the point where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet.

Starting from a ramshackle trading post for tin industry, this town was often plagued by floods, fires and civil wars whereas Chinese miners and traders formed a large part of its population in the early stage and was governed by the famous Kapitan China or headman, Yap Ah Loy. (see the image below)

 

                                                    Kapitan China, Yap Ah Loy

 

The community of Kapitan China was instituted by chief of Selangor in 1858, Rajah Abdullah, as a way of imposing order on the fractious Chinese immigrants and their secret societies.

                                              Rajah Abdullah, Chief of Selangor 

Raja Abdullah or known as Abdul Samad of Selangor was the fourth Sultan of Selangor at the time and he was also the one who instituted the community of Kapitan China to Yap Ah Loy in 1858.

The Independent capital city

 In the 1880's is when the building boom started for this small muddy town, when the British took control and in 1896, Kuala Lumpur became the witness of the land's 'Independence Day' when it became the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States. 

The multiracial society soon began to settle and multiply, congregating in ethnic enclaves that remain even today. In 1999, another city took the tittle as the administrative capital which is Putrajaya but Kuala Lumpur still remains as the commercial and the country's financial centre.

That is the brief details about Malaysia and the capital city of Kuala Lumpur which hopefully would help more people to understand slightly about the country before planning to visit there.

In future post, I will include more beautiful and interesting places to visit in Malaysia and information of each places complete with information on the luxury places to the budget spot and delicious food choices!

 

First stop will be the capital city, Kuala Lumpur!

 to be continued....