Fact 1: Home to the Tallest Twin Towers
Malaysia is globally acclaimed for hosting the Petronas Twin Towers, which currently bear the title of the tallest twin towers in the world. Standing at an imposing height of 451.9 meters, the towers offer breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital.
Fact 2: Diverse Cultural Heritage
Malaysia, a potpourri of diverse cultures, hosts people from different ethnic backgrounds. Predominantly, Malays, Chinese, Indians and other indigenous groups form the majority of the population. Each culture has colored the country's heritage, seen in the various festivals, food, arts, and languages.
Fact 3: The Rotating School of Malaysia
In Sabah, you can find a unique rotating school - the SK Bangau-Bangau. This school features a unique roundabout design where classrooms rotate around the headmaster's office. This unconventional design was devised to help the principal monitor all classrooms at once.
Fact 4: Large Scale Rubber Exporter
Malaysia holds a historical importance as one of the major rubber exporting countries in the world. Today, it remains a significant global player, contributing around one-fifth of the world’s rubber supply.
Fact 5: The Mega-Biodiverse Hotspot
Malaysia is known to be one of only 12 mega-biodiverse countries in the world. Featuring countless species of flora and fauna, its rainforests are among the oldest on the planet, approximately 130 million years old.
Fact 6: Multiple Time Zones
An interesting geographical peculiarity of Malaysia is that it spans across two different time zones. Sabah and Sarawak, located on the island of Borneo, are different from Peninsular Malaysia by being ahead an hour.
Fact 7: Featuring King with a Five Year Rule
Presenting a unique political system, Malaysia's royal leadership rotates every five years between the country's nine royal households. This showcases a one-of-a-kind monarchy system where the King is elected by the nine hereditary sultans and rules for five years only.
Fact 8: Unique Holidays
Malaysia holds the record for having the most public holidays in the world. With different ethnicities observing their unique religious and cultural holidays, it expands the list of public holidays considerably.
Fact 9: Dish with 4 Types of Flour
In Malaysian cuisine, a unique dish known as "Roti canai" is widely popular. It is a type of flatbread that uses four types of flour mixed with other ingredients. This amalgamation of distinctive flavours represents the colorful diversity of the country.
Fact 10: Home to the Rafflesia Arnoldii
Malaysia is recognized for having the largest individual flower – the Rafflesia arnoldii. This unique blooming flower, found in the rainforests of Malaysia, can grow up to 1 meter in diameter.
Fact 11: The Blue Tears Phenomenon
Malaysia’s Pulau Sembilan Islands are famous for the captivating 'blue tears' phenomenon. It's caused by a species of bioluminescent bacteria, lighting up the ocean with a dazzling blue glow.
Fact 12: The Langkawi Geopark
The Langkawi Geopark is Malaysia's first recognized geopark by UNESCO. It spans about 478 square kilometers filled with natural wonders, stunning formations, and rare wildlife.
Fact 13: World's Largest Roundabout
Defying conventional roads, Malaysia hosts the world's largest roundabout - the Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. With a diameter of 3.5km, this roundabout surrounds the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque in Shah Alam.
Fact 14: The 'Johnny' Phenomenon
Malaysia sees red and white striped stalls called 'Johnny's' across the nation. They are roadside food stalls illuminated by bright lights that serve supper and breakfast offering affordable and delightful local cuisine.
Fact 15: Historic Return of Territories
In 1946, the states Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore were merged with Malaya to form Malaysia. However, Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965, forging its path as an independent nation.
Fact 16: Intriguing Cave Temples
The Batu Caves, located outside Kuala Lumpur, house more than 160 rock climbing routes and a series of cave temples, adding a religious touch to the adventurous essence.
Fact 17: Land Below the Wind
Sabah, an eastern state of Malaysia, is often referred to as 'The Land Below The Wind'. This term signifies its location below the typhoon belt, saving it from most major windstorms and making it a safe haven.
Fact 18: Shows Rice as a Sign of Respect
In traditional Malay culture, rice is seen as a gift from God and is treated with respect. So much so, if someone drops a grain, they are required to pick it up and lick it as a sign of respect.
Fact 19: A Coffee Lover's Haven
Malaysia is an abode for coffee lovers, boasting its version of coffee - 'kopi'. It is of various types, including the unique 'kopi luwak', which involves a peculiar process where civet cats eat and digest the coffee cherries.
Fact 20: Home to 7 UNESCO Heritage Sites
Malaysia hosts seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic cities of the Straits of Malacca, diverse National Parks, and the aforementioned Langkawi Geopark. This paints a broad picture of its cultural and natural richness.