Spread out over the Peninsula and the island states of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia contains and embraces a huge variety of cultures and cuisines, natural habitats, heritage sites and architectural wonders. Within this diversity there are many extreme contrasts, adding to the excitement of travelling through the country. Modern skyscrapers overlook wooden houses built on stilts; five-star hotels restaurants compete with street food from hawker stalls; rugged mountain peaks tower over sandy beaches and humid mangroves; bustling cities are juxtaposed with remote rainforests.
With around 20% of the world's animal species and thousands of plant species, Malaysia's abundant wildlife is spread throughout the country with notable reserves at Taman Negara, Kinabalu Park, Sabah and Mulu National Park, Sarawak. For those who like to explore the urban landscape, Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, is packed with interesting sights, from the dominant Twin Towers and the surrounding shopping malls to Chinatown and Little India, while George Town on Penang and Melaka on the Peninsula have a maze of historic streets designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everywhere there is intriguing and irresistible street food.
Presenting Malaysia provides an extensive introduction to the geography, history, people, religion, food, and arts and crafts, as well as a visual journey through the 13 states and three federal territories that make up this impressive and always fascinating country.