Malaysia lies on the coast of the South China Sea in Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital, is also its cultural, economic, and political centre. Malaysia is renowned for its natural beauty, multicultural society, and tropical climate. A speciality of this country is its cuisine, especially in the state of Penang, which is known for its spicy dishes. There are also beautiful beaches in Malaysia, including Batu Ferringhi Beach on the east coast. There are many attractions in Malaysia, such as Mount Kinabalu and Gomantong Caves.

listed below are 10 interesting facts to know about Malaysia before you visit. 

Number 10. The highest point in Malaysia is Mount Kinabulu

On Borneo Island, at the height of 13,435 feet. UNESCO has even recognized this peak to be a World Heritage Site.

Number 9. Malaysia has the tallest twin buildings in the world

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur hold the Guinness World Record for the world’s tallest twin buildings, standing 452 meters (1,483 feet) tall. In fact, the Petronas Towers used to be the tallest buildings in the world when they were opened in 1998, but they remain the tallest twin buildings today.

Number 8.  Malaysia derives its name from two words

“Malay” (referring to a group of people) and “ia”, a Latin-Greek suffix. The country’s name means “land of the Malays”.

Number 7. It is also home to its own unique species of the striped large orange cat 

They’re known as Malayan Tigers. These tigers live on the Malay Peninsula and have also been spotted in Kelantan, Pahang, and Johor. Unfortunately, only 350 of these tigers exist on the whole planet, and this species is critically endangered. 

Number 6. One of the world’s largest rubber producers

 Besides being a world leader in rubber gloves, Malaysia produces the third most natural rubber in the world. 

Number 5. Shoe designer Jimmy Choo was born in Penang in Malaysia 

The famous shoe designer Jimmy Choo was born in Penang in Malaysia, a lesser-known fact about the country. Besides being a favourite of Princess Diana, he also received the Order of the British Empire in 2003 from Queen Elizabeth the second.

Number 4. The national dish of Malaysia is Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak, a dish consisting of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in a banana leaf, is Malaysia’s national dish.

Number 3. Kings in Malaysia are elected

One of the most interesting facts about Malaysia is that it is a constitutional monarchy. Within Malaysia, there are 13 states, 9 of which are ruled by Malay royal families; each head is known as a sultan. Malaysia’s King is elected from among these rulers and serves a five-year term, unless he abdicates early, which he did in 2019.

Number 2.  Home to the parasitic Rafflesia arnoldii or corpse flower

 The parasitic Rafflesia arnoldii or corpse flower is found in Malaysia’s Kinabalu National Park. This flower is known for embedding itself completely into its host flower, so much so that only the flower is visible. During bloom, it can reach a width of 3 feet and weigh around 7 kilograms. 

Number 1. Borneo is the third-largest island in the whole world

After Greenland and New Guinea, Borneo is the third-largest island in the world. There are three countries that share the island: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Independent Sultanate of Brunei. 

To sum it up, Malaysia is a beautiful country with rich culture, friendly people and delicious food. The local food is delicious and you should try the street food. In addition, there are many attractions to visit in Malaysia. If you have enough time, you can visit Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, Langkawi and more.