Peninsular Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula and surrounding islands. Its area totals approximately 132,265 square kilometers, which is nearly 40% of the total area of the country; the other 60% is East Malaysia. For comparison, Peninsular Malaysia is slightly larger than England.

Geography

Peninsular Malaysia is bordered by Thailand to the north, and by Singapore to the south with the Strait of Malacca to its west, and the South China Sea to its east. The region is also home to the highest peak in Malaysia, Mount Tahan, which has an elevation of 2,187 meters.

States and Territories

Peninsular Malaysia consists of 11 out of the 13 states, and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. The 11 states are Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Selangor, and Terengganu.

Economy

The economy of Peninsular Malaysia is diverse, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing among the significant sectors. Rubber and palm oil are major export commodities. The region is also a significant producer of electronics, petroleum, and liquefied natural gas.

Culture

The culture of Peninsular Malaysia is a blend of cultures from its various ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group in Peninsular Malaysia is the Malays, followed by the Chinese, and Indians. Each ethnic group has its own language and culture, contributing to the rich cultural diversity of the region.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Peninsular Malaysia is diverse, reflecting the multi-ethnic makeup of its population. The traditional cuisine is a blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisines, with influences from Thai, Portuguese, Dutch, and British cuisines.

See Also

• East Malaysia
• Malay Peninsula
• Malaysia