Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in southeast Asia. It's buoyant and wealthy, and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs.

Malaysia's love of Western-style industrialisation is abundantly clear in its big cities. Aside from the gleaming glass towers of the 21st Century, though, Malaysia boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia.

There are about 21 million (July 1997) people in Malaysia from diverse backgrounds/races. It can be said that in diversity there is unity because in Malaysia all the races, ethnic Malays and indigenous people (sons of the soil), as well as Chinese, Indians, Eurasians and many others work and live together.

Although the overall population density was estimated at about 62 people per sq km, this number is deceptive due to an unequal population distribution. East Malaysia is much less populated (about seven times less) than West Malaysia. The migration rate from rural to urban areas is very high due to low urban unemployment, with urban areas containing over half the total population. Immigrants to Malaysia are attracted by the low unemployment rates, as well, particularly those from Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

Malaysians are warm and welcoming to visitors from other lands and enjoy conversing. They have tremendous charm and are renowned for their hospitality and exceptional friendliness.

Malaysia has a diverse range of social services provided to Malays that are managed by the Government, but it is not considered a welfare state. Education has high priority in the government and it receives the second highest allotment of funds

The national and official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Melayu (Malay). Since Malaysia is so diverse, there are also many other languages (Asian) and dialects spoken, with English being used fairly prevalently. Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese are the main Chinese dialects with Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujerati and Urdu being the common India languages.

Malaysia's official religion is Islam, but the freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution. As in other areas, the cultural diversity plays a part in the religious preference of Malays. The Chinese population in Malaysia is basically Buddhist or Taoist with a few following Confucianism. Indians in Malaysia are usually Hindus (with a few being Sikh).The vast majority of the Malays (particularly ethnic Malays) are Muslims, with Christianity being practiced by some Chinese, Indians, Eurasians and many of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak.