Malaysia is a country that consists of thirteen states and three federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometres (127,355 sq mi). The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The population stands at over 25 million.

The country is separated into two regions Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo by the South China Sea. Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. The country is located near the equator and experiences a tropical climate. Malaysia's head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (conventionally referred to as 'the King' or 'the Agong') and the government is headed by a Prime Minister. The government is closely modeled after the Westminster parliamentary system.

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society. The population as of February 2007 is 26.6 million consisting of 62% Malays, 24% Chinese, 8% Indians, with other minorities and indigenous peoples (Dept of Stats. Malaysia). Ethnic tensions have been rising in recent months.

Multiculturalism has not only made Malaysia a gastronomical paradise, it has also made Malaysia home to hundreds of colourful festivals. It's no wonder that we love celebrating and socialising. As a people, Malaysians are very laid back, warm and friendly.

Geographically, Malaysia is as diverse as its culture. There are two parts to the country, 11 states in the peninsula of Malaysia and two states on the northern part of Borneo. Cool hideaways are found in the highlands that roll down to warm, sandy beaches and rich, humid mangroves.

One of Malaysia's key attractions is its extreme contrasts. Towering skyscrapers look down upon wooden houses built on stilts, and five-star hotels sit several metres away from ancient reefs.

For the perfect holiday full of surprises, eclectic cultures and natural wonders, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur has grown from a small sleepy village to a bustling metropolis with one of the world's tallest buildings, in just 50 years.

Penang is well known for being the "food paradise" of Malaysia if not the whole of Asia.

Malacca carries traces of the area's fascinating colonial history. Malacca was captured by the Portuguese in 1511, then taken by the Dutch and later the British.

Kedah's most famous destination is Langkawi, known the world over for its idyllic setting, legends and myths. Langkawi comprises a group of 99 islands, each with its own natural appeal.

Perak takes its name from the silvery colour of the rich tin deposits for which it is renowned. This mineral featured prominently in the history and economy of the state.

Selangor is centrally located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is one of the most prosperous and developed states in the country. Most tourists to Malaysia will arrive in Selangor at the new KL International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang designed as an 'airport within a forest'. Kuala Lumpur was the capital of Selangor untill it was made the federal capital in 1974.

Johor is the southern gateway into Peninsular Malaysia and is linked to Singapore by road and rail. Its Proximity to Singapore has made it a popular destination among Singaporeans as well as other international tourists visiting the island republic.

Sarawak the largest state in Malaysia, is located on the south-western corner of Borneo. It is a land od vast primeval rainforests, majestic mountains, caves, unique flora and fauna and diverse ethnic communities.

Sabah is located in the north-eastern tier of the island of Borneo. Overlooking the South China Sea, Kota Kinabalu, its capital, serves as the gateway to the varied attractions of the state. Known as Jesselton during the British era, it was totally detroyed during the last World War.

The sole official language of Malaysia is Malay (Bahasa Malaysia). English is also taught in schools and widely spoken in the cities although in rural areas a little Malay will come in handy. There is also a colloquial form of English spoken among Malaysians in urban areas, not inappropriately known as Manglish, which takes a bit of getting used to if you intend to join in the conversation on local topics. Malaysians will almost always try to speak 'proper English' when approached by Western travelers.

The Chinese community in Malaysia speaks a wide variety of Chinese dialects including Cantonese, Mandarin, Teo-chew, Hakka, Hainanese, Foochow, Hok-chew and Hokkien. The most commonly spoken Indian language is Tamil; other include Malayalam, Punjabi and Telugu. In East Malaysia several indigenous languages are also spoken, especially Iban and Kadazan.

Malaysian cuisine reflects the multi-racial aspects of Malaysia. Various ethnic groups in Malaysia have their dishes but many dishes in Malaysia are derived from multiple ethnic influences.

Malaysian Food is not one particular distinction of food but a culinary diversity originating from it's multi-ethnic population of Malay, Indian, Eurasian, Chinese, Nyonya and the Indigenous peoples of Borneo. A brief look into the past and how this multi-ethnic country came to be, is essential in order to comprehend how such a cosmic array of food, has now come to be known all over the world as 'Malaysian Food'. Presented here are some of the various delicious and popular dishes from this rainbow of gastronomic spectrum, with pictures and detailed recipes, from each unique ethnic kitchen.

Malaysia has an equatorial climate with fairly uniform temperatures throughout the year. Temperatures range from 90°F during the day to 72°F at night. It can be slightly cooler in the hill country. (Rainfall is common throughout the year, averaging 80-100 inches a year.)