6 Amazing Regions Of Malaysia To Learn Today!

Malaysia might be bigger than you thought because there is home to many stunning natural parks, mountains, and tropical forests. If you want to know more about the regions of Malaysia, this blog will serve you with all information!

Southeast Asia is home to Malaysia, which shares borders with Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. The South China Sea is a natural divider between West Malaysia and East Malaysia, which is clearly shown on the map. So it’s the exact same nation. Nonetheless, the environment and politics of the two areas within Malaysia may differ. So if you’re interested in learning more, read on!

The Regions Of Malaysia At A Glance

regions of malaysia

Since we’ve established that the western and eastern parts of Malaysia have their own distinctive characteristics, it’s time to go over the state and federal territory names found inside the country.

West Malaysia

West Malaysia, commonly known as Peninsular Malaysia (or West Coast), has its border close to the southern part of Thailand and Singapore by crossing the bridge. It’s divided into eleven individual states and two federal territories.

  1. Perlis (state)
  2. Kedah (state)
  3. Perak (state)
  4. Kelantan (state)
  5. Terengganu (state)
  6. Pahang (state)
  7. Selangor (state)
  8. Negeri (state)
  9. Sembilan (state)
  10. Malacca (state)
  11. Johor (state)
  12. Putrajaya (federal territory)
  13. Kuala Lumpur (federal territory)

This area of Malaysia is more modern and metropolitan than the East Coast, which is more rural and predominantly Malay and Muslim. Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital, and Putrajaya, the country’s new administrative center, are located in this part.

East Malaysia

East Malaysia (or East Coast) has its border close to Indonesia. It’s divided into two individual states and one federal territory.

  1. Sabah (state)
  2. Sarawak (state)
  3. Labuan (federal territory)

There are fewer people and fewer developed cities in East Malaysia than in West Malaysia. When the area is fewer people, this also means there’s rich in nature. So, several national forest reserve areas in this part of Malaysia make it ideal for nature enthusiasts. Moreover, since it has more land, it has a more excellent supply of natural resources, especially oil, and gas.

What Type Of Government Is Used In Malaysia?

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or the king, serves as head of state. In contrast, the Prime Minister of Malaysia serves as head of government within a federal representative democratic constitutional monarchy. The federal government and the governments of the 13 states share executive authority.

What Are The 13 States In Malaysia?

Johor (Capital City: Johor Bahru)

The state of Johor, located in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, is known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and delicious local cuisine. The city of Johor Bahru is a popular destination for tourists, with its shopping malls, theme parks, and cultural attractions. Ethically, culturally, and linguistically diverse, Johor is also known for its rich biodiversity and birdlife.

Melaka (Cap: Melaka City)

Next up is the state of Melaka, known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. The city of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit destination for history buffs, with its well-preserved architecture, museums, and landmarks. Previously known as Malacca, the Malaysian state government declared in 2017 that the new spelling would, from now on, replace the more commonly Anglicized spelling of the state name.

Penang (Cap: George Town)

Moving further up north, we come to the state of Penang, known for its vibrant street art, cultural diversity, and delicious street food. The city of George Town, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from ethnic groups, including Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities. Penang Island, which once belonged to the British, lies just off the coast and is well worth checking out if you find yourself in the area.

Kedah (Cap: Alor Setar)

Also located in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia is the state of Kedah which is home to the beautiful Langkawi Island, a popular tourist destination with its stunning beaches, azure waters, and natural limestone features. The state is covered in rice paddies and is known as Malaysia’s “rice bowl,” accounting for around half of the country’s rice production.

Perak (Cap: Ipoh)

Perak, another state located in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, is known for its beautiful limestone hills, caves, and hot springs. The city of Ipoh, the state capital, is a popular destination for foodies, with its deliciously diverse local cuisine, restaurants, and street food.

Selangor (Cap: Shah Alam)

The state of Selangor, or “Abode of Sincerity” in its Arabic honorific, is located in the central region of the Malay Peninsula and was once home to Malaysia’s most prominent city, Kuala Lumpur. It is Malaysia’s most developed state and home to the country’s largest population. Selangor has the lowest levels of poverty and the highest standard of living of any state.

Negeri Sembilan (Cap: Seremban)

Negeri Sembilan, the “Special Abode,” located to the south of Selangor, is known for its traditional Malay architecture, cultural attractions, and natural beauty. The state is home to the Port Dickson beach resort, a popular destination for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

Pahang (Cap: Kuantan)

A state located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia is home to the popular tourist destinations of Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, and the national forest reserve of Taman Negara. Cameron Highlands is a hill resort known for its tea plantations, while Taman Negara is a national park known for its rainforests, wildlife, and mountain ranges with its popular highland retreats.

Terengganu (Cap: Kuala Terengganu)

Terengganu is located on the east coast region of Peninsular Malaysia and is known for its beautiful beaches, traditional Malay villages, and a plethora of cultural attractions. The state is home to the Redang and Perhentian Islands, popular destinations for a bit of snorkeling and scuba diving.

Kelantan (Cap: Kota Bharu)

The “Land of Lightning” is located in the northeast of Peninsular Malaysia and is known for its traditional Malay culture, handicrafts, and luscious local cuisine. The state is a popular destination for those looking to experience authentic Malay culture and traditions.

Perlis (Cap: Kangar)

Located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia on the border with Thailand, Perlis holds the position as Malaysia’s smallest and northernmost state. Among the places of interest in the state is the Perlis State Park with its limestone hills and the Gua Kelam Cave, and the superb snake farm.

Sabah (Cap: Kota Kinabalu)

Situated in northern Borneo, Sabah is home to national parks, including Crocker Range and Tiga Island, and Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s highest mountain. The state is celebrated for its diversity in ethnicity, language, and culture.

Sarawak (Cap: Kuching)

The largest of all Malaysia’s 13 states, Sarawak is home to Gunung Mulu National Park and Malaysia’s longest river, the Rajang River. Rich in natural resources, this north Borneo state is packed with animal and bird species and is the place to go if you want to spot a hornbill or Orangutan.

Malaysia Is Divided Into 6 Regions

Malaysian map

There are regions, namely the Northern Region, Southern Region, Central Region, East Coast, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Northern Region

The well-known Langkawi Island is located towards the north. A peaceful island surrounded by beautiful scenery. It’s one of the world’s and the country’s most demanded vacation spots. Penang Island is also one of the jewels of Malaysia. So there’s no surprise that it attracts people from all around Malaysia and the world, and the area now boasts a diverse population and a wealth of cultural traditions.

Central Region

The administrative centers and other government facilities are situated here. Kuala Lumpur, the nation’s capital city, is located in the central region. You’ll find most of the fun stuff here, such as events, activities, conferences, and shows.

Southern Region

Culture and history abound in the area. In addition, the closeness to Singapore and the access to the ocean make the region an ideal trade destination. Particularly in Melaka, historical buildings and artifacts have been preserved. Melaka’s ancient monuments and walls are architectural time capsules.

East Coast

With a culture that blends Malay tradition with Thai characteristics, it stands out from the rest of Malaysia. In addition, the east coast is home to some of the country’s beautiful beaches and islands, such as Palau Perhentian and Pulau KapasPulau Redang, which are excellent destinations for scuba and snorkelling. Nature enthusiasts will adore this part.

Malaysia’s Federal Territories

Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur

The national capital and former home to the federal government and the seat of the Prime Minister, Kuala Lumpur remains the cultural, financial, and economic hub of Malaysia. In 2020 UNESCO awarded the city the prestigious prize of World Book Capital.

Federal Territory Of Labuan

Consists of Labuan Island and another six smaller islands. It is famous as an offshore financial centre and a popular destination for tourists visiting the region.

Federal Territory Of Putrajaya

Putrajaya translates as “victorious people” and was established to take over as the seat of Malaysia’s federal government from Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur due to congestion and overcrowding in 1999.

Useful Vocabulary Relating To The Regions Of Malay

EnglishMalay
City Bandar
Town Pekan
Region Wilayah
District Daerah
Capital Modal
Island Pulau
Culture Budaya
Cuisine Masakan
Economics Ekonomi
Tourist Pelancong
Language Bahasa
Tradition Tradisi
National park Taman Negara
River Sungai
Park Taman
Road Jalan raya
Sidewalk Kaki lima

In Summary

Regarding culture, ethnicity, and ecology, Malaysia is among the top countries in Southeast Asia. You’ll discover everything from stunning mountains to relaxing shores. We hope that our blog helps you choose which parts of Malaysia to see if you only have a limited time. And you’ll get the most out of your trip if you choose destinations that are a good fit for you.

Looking for the perfect language learning app to help you improve your Malay skills, so you can better communicate with Malay people? If so, you can count on us!

Learn Malay With The Ling App!

Learn Malay with Ling

The Ling App offers the perfect way to supplement your language learning efforts. You’ll access many tools for learning Malay and 60+ other languages. If you study Malay, you’ll be able to start conversations with locals whether you’re in a big city or a small village. The adaptability and convenience of the Ling app make it simple to increase everyone’s vocabulary, especially during rapid-fire travel. While conversing with the chatbot, you may listen to how natural speakers pronounce the words to understand how they sound in context.

In addition to its four official uses in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore, the language is also used as a mother tongue of the people in three other countries. It’s estimated that this number is closer to 300 million, meaning that these individuals can all effectively converse with one another. Therefore, the time to start studying Malay is now.

Most Malay learners chose Ling to help them succeed, so why not join them? Download the Ling App from Google Play Store and Apple App Store now, and prepare to be fluent in Malay soon!

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