Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia is the country where I live and born. Malaysia was created in 1963 through the merging of Malaya (independent in 1957) and the former British Singapore, both of which formed West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak in north Borneo, which composed East Malaysia. The first three years of independence were marred by hostilities with Indonesia. Singapore seceded from the union in 1965.
Malaysia is situated in Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam with area 329,750 sq km.
Malaysia has fervently embraced modern technology -- it boasts two of the world's tallest skyscrapers and a huge "cyber" center for computer businesses. But it still has some of the world's most remote jungle (in Sabah and Sarawak), one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant old ports (Georgetown) and an atmospheric colonial hill station (the Cameron Highlands). Even in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, which bristles with ambitious new building projects, you can still find exotic markets and plenty of local color. As a result, travellers to Malaysia can easily ratchet up or down the levels of adventure and comfort they want to experience.
Cambodia
Cambodia (The Kingdom of Angkor)
The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia which well known with its famous mother temple of the world "The Mighty Angkor Wat" in Siem Reap province. Phnom Penh being the capital city. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries.
A citizen of Cambodia is usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer", which strictly refers to ethnic Khmers. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction, but the country also has a substantial number of predominantly Muslim Cham, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes.
The country shares a border with Thailand to its west and northwest, with Laos to its northeast, and with Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south it faces the Gulf of Thailand. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the longest river in South East Asia Mekong river and the largest fresh water lake of Tonlé Sap, an important source of fish.
Laos
Laos (Land of A Million Elephants)
Laos also known as Lao PDR [Lao People's Democratic Republic] or in Lao (Sathalanalat Pasathipatai Pasason Lao) and one of the last places to see old Indochina. The capital and largest city of Laos is Vientiane, and other major cities include Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Pakse. The pace of Laos is slow and its people relaxed and friendly. Sabaidee, the Lao greeting that you will hear wherever you go.
Laos is landlocked socialist republic communist state and lies between China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong River forms the country's western border and the Annamite mountains form its eastern border with Vietnam. The total land area is approximately 237,000 sq km - an area similar to that of the United Kingdom. The main features of the country are its mountains and the Mekong River valley.
The Mekong River and its 15 tributaries make up a total of 2,400 km of waterways, but only about one third of these are navigable. 70% of the country is mountainous. In the south, the Annamite mountains reach 2,600m in height. The Khammouanne plateau in the centre of the range is mass of limestone karst. At the south of the range is the Bolaven Plateau. The north of Laos is made of steep sloped mountain ranges with the highest mountain in the country at 2820m in Xiang Khouang province. Over half of Laos is forest.
Japan
Japan (Land Of The Rising Sun)
Japan [In Japanese: Nihon-Koku or Nippon-Koku] is an island nation situated on the Pacific Ocean, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk to the East China Sea. Its composed of over 3,000 islands as well as 47 Perfectures. Tokyo with land area of 2,102 sqkm is the capital of Japan. Despite it is the largest metropolitan area in the world. It comprises four main islands namely from the largest of which are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Most of Japan's islands are mountainous and many are volcanic; the highest peak is Mount Fuji.
The official language that spoken is Japanese (The written Japanese language uses a combination of three writing systems which are Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana.) By the way, three main religions in Japan are Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity.
Japan is the world's leading industrialized countries as of today and it is one of the oldest legislatures in Asia.
Japan's name in the kanji writing system is often translated as "Land of the Rising Sun", and comes from the country's location on the east coast of Asia.
Indonesia
Indonesia (The World's Largest Sprawling Archipelago)
Indonesia composed of 17,000 islands that stretch over 5,000 miles along the equator. The Peninsula Malaysia and Indochina are situated to the north-west, and the continent of Australia lies due south. Northward lie the Philippines and Micronesia.
Indonesia's constellation of islands straddles the divide between the Asian and Australian continental plates. As a result, the islands offer a stunning variety of topographies and ecologies Mist-shrouded volcanoes and mountains, unexplored rain forests, thousands of miles of beaches, and endless offshore reefs support a dazzling abundance of wildlife, making Indonesia an ideal destination for adventure and eco-travel.
Despite the varied culture, the one thing the people do have in common is their friendliness. Indonesians are amongst the friendliest in south east Asia, which is in itself one of the most sociable areas in the world. Wherever you travel in the country you will more than likely be greeted by a chorus of 'Hello Mister's from the local population. Indonesians have no inhibitions when it comes to starting conversations with strangers and you will frequently find yourself in passing conversations with numerous locals. The people are so sociable that it may take some getting used to.
Thailand
Thailand (The Amazing Country)
The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia with its virtually irresistible combinations of breathtaking natural beauty, inspirating temples, the ruins of fabulour ancient kingdoms, renowned hospitality, and robust cuisine. From the stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son to the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, from the pulse pounding dance clubs of
Bangkok to tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, the country offers something for every type of traveller.
There are total 76 provinces in Thailand as of today, which are gathered into 5 groups of provinces by location. There are also 2 special governed districts: the capital
Bangkok (Krungthep Mahanakhon) and
Pattaya, of which
Bangkok is at provincial level and thus often counted as a 76th province.
Each province is divided into smaller districts. As of 2006 there are 877 districts (Amphoe) and the 50 districts of
Bangkok (Khet). Some parts of the provinces bordering
Bangkok are also referred to as Greater Bangkok (Pari monthon). These provinces include Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani,
Samut Prakan,
Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. The name of each province's capital city (Mueang) is the same as that of the province.
Travelling around in this tropical country is comfortable, down-to-earth and exceptionally good value. The extensive rail, bus and air networks makes every place that is worth visiting, easily accessible. Many people find that whatever time they plan for a Thailand trip seems to fall short, given the country's multifaceted culture and the numerous things to go and do or see.
Whether in the tranquillity of a mountain-top temple, the curry-scented atmosphere of a riverside café, the raucous din of a festival procession, or in some other passing experience, somewhere, sometimes, every visitor to Thailand intersects with a moment where the inexplicable heart of the Thai experience enters the soul. From that point onward, the most difficult part of being in the country is negotiating how much longer you can manage to stay, and how soon you will return.
Singapore
Singapore (The Lion City)
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled)
The name Singapore is derived from the Malay Sanskrit words. In Tamil, one of the official languages of Singapore, Singam means Lion and Puram means City. Hence, Singapore is also known as the Lion City. It is an island city-state and the smallest country in South-East Asia. It is located on the southern tip of the
Peninsula Malaysia, south of the Malaysian state of
Johor, and north of the Indonesian Riau Islands. It lies just 137 kilometres north of the Equator.
UAE (United Arab Emirates)
UAE - United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a federation of seven emirates situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. The UAE consists of seven states, termed emirates, which are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The capital and second largest city of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. It is also the country's center of political, industrial and cultural activities.
Before 1971, the UAE were known as the Trucial States or Trucial Oman, in reference to a nineteenth-century truce between Britain and several Arab Sheikhs. The name Pirate Coast was also used in reference to the area's emirates in the 18th to early 20th century.
The political system of the United Arab Emirates, based on the 1971 Constitution, comprises several intricately connected governing bodies. Islam is the official religion and Arabic is the official language.
The United Arab Emirates has the world's sixth largest oil reserves and possesses one of the most developed economies in the Middle East. It is currently the thirty-sixth largest economy by nominal GDP, and is one of the richest countries in the world by per capita gross domestic product, with a nominal per capita GDP of $54,607 as per the IMF. The country is fourteenth largest in purchasing power per capita and has a relatively high Human Development Index for the Asian continent, ranking 31st globally. The United Arab Emirates is classified as a high income developing economy by the IMF.
The United Arab Emirates is a founding member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and a member state of the Arab League. It is also a member of the United Nations, Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the OPEC, and the World Trade Organization.
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