2. Travel Malaysia By Ryan Bedford

4. About Malaysia Capital city: Kuala Lampur Capital city: Kuala Lampur Population: 23,000,000 Population: 23,000,000 Time zone:GMT/UTC +8 Time zone:GMT/UTC +8 Currency: Malaysian Ringgits (RM) Currency: Malaysian Ringgits (RM) Government type: Constitutional monarchy Government type: Constitutional monarchy Prime minister: Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi Prime minister: Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi

5. WorldGuide Index Prices ItemPrice ItemPrice small bottle of water Malaysian Ringgit 0.95 small bottle of water Malaysian Ringgit 0.95 litre of petrol Malaysian Ringgit 1.90 litre of petrol Malaysian Ringgit 1.90 small bottle of beer Malaysian Ringgit 11.00 small bottle of beer Malaysian Ringgit 11.00 internet access Malaysian Ringgit 4.00 internet access Malaysian Ringgit 4.00 cheap restaurant meal Malaysian Ringgit 11.00 cheap restaurant meal Malaysian Ringgit 11.00 short taxi ride Malaysian Ringgit 15.00 short taxi ride Malaysian Ringgit 15.00

6. Average Room Prices Low RM30-75 Low RM30-75 Mid RM75-200 Mid RM75-200 High RM200-300 High RM200-300 Deluxe RM300+ Deluxe RM300+

7. Average Meal Prices Low RM11-15 Low RM11-15 Mid RM15-35 Mid RM15-35 High RM35-55 High RM35-55

8. Converting U.S. Dollars 1.00 USD = 3.34775 MYR United States Dollars Malaysia Ringgits United States Dollars Malaysia Ringgits 1 USD = 3.34775 MYR 1 MYR = 0.298709 USD 1 USD = 3.34775 MYR 1 MYR = 0.298709 USD

9. Major Industries: Major Industries: Tin, rubber, palm oil, timber, oil, textiles, electronics Tin, rubber, palm oil, timber, oil, textiles, electronics Trading Partners: Trading Partners: Singapore, Japan, USA Singapore, Japan, USA

10. Events The major Islamic events are connected with Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The major Malaysian festival is Hari Raya Puasa, which marks the end of Ramadan with three days of joyful celebrations. Hari Raya Haji marks the successful completion of the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) with a two-day feast of cakes and sweets. The major Islamic events are connected with Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The major Malaysian festival is Hari Raya Puasa, which marks the end of Ramadan with three days of joyful celebrations. Hari Raya Haji marks the successful completion of the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) with a two-day feast of cakes and sweets.

11. Events Chinese New Year, in January or February, is welcomed in with dances, parades and much good cheer. Chinese New Year, in January or February, is welcomed in with dances, parades and much good cheer.

12. Events The festival of Thaipusam in late January is one of the most dramatic Hindu festivals during which devotees honour Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing masochism - definitely not for the squeamish. In KL, devotees march to nearby Batu Caves; in Penang, the event is celebrated at the Waterfall Temple. The festival of Thaipusam in late January is one of the most dramatic Hindu festivals during which devotees honour Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing masochism - definitely not for the squeamish. In KL, devotees march to nearby Batu Caves; in Penang, the event is celebrated at the Waterfall Temple.

13. Events The Malaysian Grand Prix revs up in March. The Malaysian Grand Prix revs up in March.

14. Events The Kota Belud Tamu Besar is a huge tribal gathering held in May at Kota Belud near Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. It includes a massive market, traditional ceremonies, ornately decorated horsemen, medicine men and tribal handicrafts. A smaller tamu is held in Kota Belud every Sunday if you're not visiting during May. The Kota Belud Tamu Besar is a huge tribal gathering held in May at Kota Belud near Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. It includes a massive market, traditional ceremonies, ornately decorated horsemen, medicine men and tribal handicrafts. A smaller tamu is held in Kota Belud every Sunday if you're not visiting during May.

15. Events The Rainforest World Music Festival is held in Kuching in July or August, and Malaysia's National Day s on 31 Aug; it will be huge in 2007 when the country celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence. The Rainforest World Music Festival is held in Kuching in July or August, and Malaysia's National Day s on 31 Aug; it will be huge in 2007 when the country celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence.

16. Travel tips Camping and jungle trekking: In the Lumut area and the surrounding beaches, buy red-coloured mosquito coils because the green ones have NO effect at all. Jellyfish stings: No matter how minor it is, do NOT rinse skin surrounding the sting and the site of the sting itself with freshwater. Seawater is just fine but freshwater only aggravates the pain.

17. Travel tips For those eating mangosteen (local fruit with thick deep purple skin which is inedible, and juicy white flesh), avoid getting the reddish/purplish pigment from the skin onto clothes. It can't be removed with normal detergent and the stain resembles unsightly blood stains.