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Malaysia boasts of a rich cultural heritage, with traditional architecture and crafts, environmental splendour, a shopper’s paradise and a gastronomic haven all rolled into one. The population is a contrast of racial and cultural roots, with a predominance of Malays, Chinese and Indians. Malaysia, along with Singapore and Brunei has only existed in its present form since 1963, when the federation of thirteen states became known as Malaysia. From the early 16th century onwards, parts of Malaysia, Malacca in particular, had been colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and British in turn.
Malaysia can today be divided into six major regions; Kuala Lumpur, the central region comprising the states of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca, the northern region of Penang, Perlis, Perak and Kedah, the east coast states of Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang, the southern state of Johor, and finally the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Each region has unique characteristics and each of Malaysia’s ethnic groups adds a distinct heritage to this society. |
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