Malaysia

Malaysia is a populous Southeast Asian country. It has Malay, Chinese, and Indian ethnic communities, as well as indigenous groups such as Khmers and Chams. Bahasa Malaysia is the official language, English is recognized and was long an administrative language of record, and countless other languages are spoken. Every citizen is issued a biometric smart chip identity card known as MyKad at the age of 12, and must carry the card at all times. The Malaysian economy is strong, and expansion is being made from a reliance on natural resources into science, tourism, commerce, and medical tourism sectors. The country has land on both the Asian mainland and the Malay archipelago, which is a unique situation. The terrain includes many rivers and densely forested mountains. Malaysia is termed megadiverse in regards to its flora and fauna; many species are endemic to specific locales, which are separated from one another by forests. The water is a fertile area for life, and there are many species of coral, fish, and frogs.

See the wildlife and other natural sights of Borneo. The Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve houses one of just four orangutan sanctuaries in the whole world. You can also do a challenging climb up Gunung Kinabalu, a peak that is a symbol for its region. Interesting structures include the Kek Lok Si or Temple of Supreme Bliss in Penang, the largest Buddhist temple in the Malaysia, or the distinctive twin skyscrapers in bustling Kuala Lumpur known as the Petronas Towers.

Rice, noodles, and Indian-style breads are common starches. Vegetables include greens, tomatoes, and peppers. A variety of meat and fish is consumed, although members of certain religious populations may avoid beef or pork. Try nasi lemak, considered the national dish: rice steamed with coconut milk and served with fried anchovies, peanuts, sliced cucumber, hard boiled eggs, and sambal chili paste. Asam pedas is a sour and spicy stew of meat (often fish like mackerel or stingray, although some recipes use chicken and even oxtail) cooked with tamarind, chili, tomatoes, okra, and Vietnamese coriander.

You can find a variety of organic and vegetarian-friendly establishments serving Asian cuisines including Indian, Japanese, and Malaysian, especially in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. There are also a good number of natural foods stores. The wide selection of tropical fruits in Malaysia, including durian, guava, mangosteen, and tampoi (also known as baccaurea macrocarpa), can make for a sweet bite after dinner or any other time of day.