Country: The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsula Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
Visa: Canadian passport holders can visit Malaysia for up to 3 months without a visa.
For further information please check the list of the countries and respective visa requirements at http://www.kln.gov.my.
Geographical Location
Located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator, Peninsula Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsula Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are north of Indonesia in Borneo while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei.
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
People: Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.
Located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator, Peninsula Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsula Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are north of Indonesia in Borneo while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei.
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
People: Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.
Language: Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialects.
Religion: Islam is the official religion but all other religions are freely practiced.
Government: Malaysia is governed by a Parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system. The Head of State is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, a position that is awarded to a different State Monarch every five years and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.
Climate: Tropical climate with warm weather all year round. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF). The highlands are cooler, where temperatures range between 15°C (59° F) to 25°C (77°F). Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm.
Major Holidays: New Year's Day Hari Raya Aidiladha* Federal Territory Day ** Chinese New Year* Awal Muharam* Birthday of Prophet Muhammad* Labour Day* Wesak Day* King's Birthday* National Day* Deepavali# Hari Raya Aidilfitri* Christmas*
Note: (*) - National holidays (**) - Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur & Labuan only (#) - Except Labuan & Sarawak
Economic Profile: Manufacturing constitutes the largest single component of Malaysia's economy. Tourism and primary commodities such as petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are other major contributors to the economy.
Distance to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
London, United Kingdom to Kuala Lumpur: 6,557 miles (10,552 km)
Paris, France to Kuala Lumpur: 6,483 miles (10,432 km)
Rome, Italy to Kuala Lumpur: 6,038 miles (9,716 km)
Stockholm, Sweden to Kuala Lumpur: 5,812 miles (9,353 km)
Berlin, Germany to Kuala Lumpur: 5,979 miles (9,622 km)
Madrid, Spain to Kuala Lumpur: 6,885 miles (11,079 km)
New York, USA to Kuala Lumpur: 9,400 miles (15,126 km)
Los Angeles, USA to Kuala Lumpur: 8,790 miles (14,144 km)
Vancouver, Canada to Kuala Lumpur: 7,944 miles (12,783 km)
Currency: The exchange rate for the Malaysian Ringgit is roughly 3.20 MYR to 1 Canadian dollar. Foreign currency can be converted at banks and money changers.
Banking Hours: Most states: Mon - Fri: 9.15am to 4.30pm. Sat & Sun: Closed (Selected banks and branches are open on Sat). Kelantan & Terengganu: Sun - Wed :9.15am to 4.30pm. Thurs :9.15am to 4.00pm. Friday/Saturday*/Public Holiday: Closed
The Malaysian unit of currency is the Ringgit Malaysia (RM), which is divided into 100 sen. Currency comes in notes of RM1, RM5, RM10, RM50 and RM100. Coins are issued in 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, and 50 sen denominations.
Post Offices: Open from 8.30am to 5.00pm daily except the first Saturday of each month, Sundays and public holidays.
In Kelantan and Terengganu post offices operate during the same hours but are closed on Fridays and public holidays.
Time: Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time.
Electricity: Voltage is 220 - 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. If you are planning to bring any electrical equipment of 110 volts, it would be recommended to pack a converter. Power sockets employ the three-square-pin (British) type, although some older places have three-round-pin sockets.
Weights and Measures: Malaysia follows the metric system in weights and measures.
Telephones: Local calls can be made from public phones using coins or pre-paid cards. International calls can be made from public phones with card phone facilities or at any Telekom office.
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialects.
Religion: Islam is the official religion but all other religions are freely practiced.
Government: Malaysia is governed by a Parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system. The Head of State is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, a position that is awarded to a different State Monarch every five years and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.
Climate: Tropical climate with warm weather all year round. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF). The highlands are cooler, where temperatures range between 15°C (59° F) to 25°C (77°F). Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm.
Major Holidays: New Year's Day Hari Raya Aidiladha* Federal Territory Day ** Chinese New Year* Awal Muharam* Birthday of Prophet Muhammad* Labour Day* Wesak Day* King's Birthday* National Day* Deepavali# Hari Raya Aidilfitri* Christmas*
Note: (*) - National holidays (**) - Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur & Labuan only (#) - Except Labuan & Sarawak
Economic Profile: Manufacturing constitutes the largest single component of Malaysia's economy. Tourism and primary commodities such as petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are other major contributors to the economy.
Currency: The exchange rate for the Malaysian Ringgit is roughly 3.20 MYR to 1 Canadian dollar. Foreign currency can be converted at banks and money changers.
Banking Hours: Most states: Mon - Fri: 9.15am to 4.30pm. Sat & Sun: Closed (Selected banks and branches are open on Sat). Kelantan & Terengganu: Sun - Wed :9.15am to 4.30pm. Thurs :9.15am to 4.00pm. Friday/Saturday*/Public Holiday: Closed
Post Offices: Open from 8.30am to 5.00pm daily except the first Saturday of each month, Sundays and public holidays.
In Kelantan and Terengganu post offices operate during the same hours but are closed on Fridays and public holidays.
Time: Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time.
Electricity: Voltage is 220 - 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. If you are planning to bring any electrical equipment of 110 volts, it would be recommended to pack a converter. Power sockets employ the three-square-pin (British) type, although some older places have three-round-pin sockets.
Weights and Measures: Malaysia follows the metric system in weights and measures.
Telephones: Local calls can be made from public phones using coins or pre-paid cards. International calls can be made from public phones with card phone facilities or at any Telekom office.