Malaysia is an incredible country with rich diversity, where different cultures, languages, food, and traditions blend together seamlessly. Not forgetting the amazing nature and wildlife that the country has to offer, it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations to visit.
Whether you’re looking to travel to Malaysia or are simply curious about the country, here are 30 fun facts about Malaysia that illustrate its amazing culture and beauty!
1. The three main ethnic groups in Malaysia are the Malays, Chinese, and Indians. The Malays or Indigenous people make up around 60% of the population, whilst the Chinese make up around 21% and the Indians make up around 6%.
2. Bahasa Melayu is Malaysia’s national language. However, due to the ethnic diversity, more than 100 different languages are spoken across the country. The most common other languages spoken are Mandarin and Tamil.
3. Malaysia has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are:
- Gunung Mulu National Park
- Kinabalu Park
- Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley
- Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
- The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex
4. Malaysia has a population of around 34 million people.
5. Malaysia has a unique species called the Malayan Tiger, which is one of the smallest tiger species. However, they are now critically endangered with around only 350 remaining.
6. The national dish of Malaysia is called Nasi Lemak. It is a dish made up of fragrant coconut rice, fried anchovies, boiled egg, cucumber, and sambal sauce. Various types of meat such as fish or chicken can be served with it too, creating an incredible mixture of flavours.
7. The national currency of Malaysia is the Ringgit, and its name comes from the Malay word for 'jagged,' which refers to the serrated edges of the Spanish silver dollars used in the 16th and 17th centuries.
8. The world’s biggest roundabout is located in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and has a total circumference of 3.5 kilometres.
9. East Malaysia is home to Mount Kinabalu, the tallest peak in the country, standing at 13,455 feet (4,101 metres) above sea level.
10. Malaysia’s Kinabalu National Park is also home to the Rafflesia arnoldii, the world’s largest flower, often called the "corpse flower" because of its strong odor. The flower can reach up to 1 metre or 3 feet in diameter and weigh as much as 10 kg or 22 pounds!
11. Up until 2004, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur was the tallest building in the world, at 452 metres or 1,483 feet high with 88 floors. Today, it remains the tallest twin towers in the world, connected by a sky bridge at 170 metres or 558 feet above the ground.
12. Malaysian cuisine has influences from many different cultures including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Indonesian, making it one of the most varied and flavorful cuisines there is.
13. Malaysia has two seasons - a wet and a dry season. The wet season is also known as monsoon season and has heavy rain and high humidity, whilst the dry season has less rain and more sunshine.
14. Malaysia has several ‘floating’ mosques, where the mosque sits on land next to a waterfront, giving the illusion that the mosque is floating. One of the most popular examples is the Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque in Kuala Terengganu.
15. Malaysia has over 65,877 kilometres of highway roads, which is more than 1.5 times around the Earth’s circumference!
16. Penang, also known as ‘George Town’ is seen as the food capital of Malaysia. As well as its diverse and incredible food scene, it also has an amazing cultural heritage and beautiful beaches.
17. The famous fashion designer, Jimmy Choo, was born in Penang, Malaysia.
18. Teh Tarik, which means ‘pulling tea’ is one of Malaysia’s beloved drinks, known for its smooth, frothy texture and sweet, creamy flavour. It’s made by throwing the tea back and forth from one cup into another, without any spillages!
19. Malaysia is recognised as one of the 17 megadiverse countries, meaning there is very high biodiversity.
20. The Bornean orangutan is one of Malaysia’s most fascinating and endangered animals, found in the rainforests of Borneo. It’s known for its intelligence and distinctive reddish-brown fur.
21. Malaysia’s national fruit is called durian and it's known for its strong odor and spikey exterior. It’s so strong that it’s often banned in hotels, shopping malls, and public transportation!
22. The Penang Bridge is a significant landmark that connects Penang Island to mainland Malaysia. Stretching 13.5 kilometres (or 8.4 miles), it’s one of the longest bridges in Southeast Asia.
23. With its rich cultural heritage, Malaysians celebrate a wide range of festivals and traditions throughout the year, such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali.
24. Malaysia is home to the Tualang tree, one of the tallest tropical trees in the world, with a base diameter exceeding 3 metres (or 10 feet) and reaching heights of up to 80 metres (or 262 feet).
25. Despite the country’s tropical climate, Cameron Highlands in Malaysia is known for its cooler climate. It has unique ‘Strawberry Farms’, where visitors can hand-pick fresh strawberries.
26. The Bornean pygmy elephant, the smallest elephant subspecies, can only be found in the rainforests of Sabah, Malaysia, adding to the region's rich biodiversity.
27. Malaysia has over 80,000 islands, including the popular Langkawi archipelago and the Perhentian Islands.
28. Malaysia is home to one of the world’s largest firefly colonies in Kampung Kuantan, where millions of fireflies light up mangrove trees at night, creating a stunning natural display.
29. Malaysia shares its borders with Thailand to the north, and Indonesia and Singapore to the south. The Johor-Singapore Causeway is a bridge that connects Malaysia to Singapore, playing a crucial role in the economic and cultural exchanges between the countries.
30. Located in Gunung Mulu National Park on Borneo Island, the Sarawak Cave Chamber holds the title of the world’s largest cave chamber, it is so big that it could fit 40 Boeing 747s without overlapping wings!
From its rich cultural heritage and diverse wildlife to its breathtaking natural landscapes, Malaysia is a country full of experiences. These 30 fun facts only scratch the surface of what makes Malaysia such a fascinating destination. If you’re looking to study in Malaysia, you can check out the range of universities here!