What is the name of the capital of Malaysia? Why is she interesting? You will find answers to these and other questions in our article.
Federation of Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and covers an area of more than 32 thousand km². The geographical feature is that this state consists of two parts: western (Malaya) and eastern (Sabah and Sarawak). Between these parts is the South China Sea.
This tropical country with an ancient culture, high level of technological development and historical attractions that attract tourists from all over the world is described in this article.
History of the State
The territory of this state in the period 2500-1000 BC. settled by immigrants from southern China. Thus, based on historical documents, it can be argued that Malaysia is several millennia old. At the beginning of our era, the Strait of Malacca,which washes the western part of the state, was a profitable trade route for merchants from China and India. Therefore, large cities and states for that time were formed on the banks of the water space.
From the 7th century and for the next eight centuries, Srivijaya was a big country in this region.
After some time, the Muslim state of the Malacca Sultanate was founded with the capital Malacca. Now this ancient city is the administrative center 130 km from the modern capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lampur.
In 1511, Portugal established a colonial regime in Malacca. Then the indigenous people were forced to found a new capital - the city of Johor (in our time, this city is called Johor Bahru).
Thanks to the regular troops of Holland, after 130 years, Malacca was liberated from the Portuguese conquerors. Then Malaysia became a colony of Holland.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the country was under the influence of England. Before the Second World War, rubber and tin were produced in this territory for export.
In 1942, Japan occupied the entire territory of the Malay state. Her occupation policy continued until her surrender in September 1945.
In 1945, the British government re-established the occupation regime. Three years of occupation led to the formation of the people's organization "Federation of Malaya". Thanks to the actions of this organization, Malaysia became an independent state in 1957, and was officially recognized as an independent Federation in 1963.
Now this country is one ofthe main suppliers of oil and various natural resources to the world market.
Thanks to the development of electronics, the state ranks first in the world in the production of integrated circuits, and in 2002 the government approved the space program.
From the end of the 20th century, international tourism began to develop in the region. The tourist program "sights of the capital of Malaysia" is very popular. We will talk about them in detail later. In the meantime, let's study the history of the modern capital.
History of the capital of Malaysia
The name of the capital of this independent Federation is Kuala Lumpur. The city is located on the banks of the junction of two rivers: Klang and Gombak. The area of the Malaysian capital, which is home to about two million indigenous people, is 93 km² (together with the suburbs - 245 km²).
In 1857, Great Britain sent an expedition to the Klang River region in search of iron ore deposits. Miners randomly discovered large deposits of tin (now the city of Ampang is located in this area). By this time, Europe had found a way to store food - canning. Therefore, the demand for copper and tin increased in the world, and in 1859, a small plant for the production of this metal was built near the future capital of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur).
In the middle of the 19th century, the area around the plant was transformed into an urban settlement.
After some time, British Minister Plenipotentiary Frank Swittenham moved the administrative center of the state of Selangor to Kuala Lumpur. The city subsequently received the statusthe capital of the state, and thanks to architectural monuments has become a tourist center.
Jamek Mosque
Sightseeing walking tour of the Malaysian capital begins with a visit to Jamek Mosque. It was built in 1909 by English architect Arthur Hubback.
The Muslim complex was erected on the site where the first settlement of the future capital was once located and consists of minarets, several towers and three domes.
All these structures are made in the traditional Moorish style.
A feature of this religious building is that it contains the remains of all the prominent figures of the capital of Malaysia and the whole country, who played a prominent role in the history of the state.
When visiting the complex, tourists should take into account that they are not allowed to enter the mosque. Guests of the city can only inspect the territory and the appearance of the building, observing the clothes, according to Muslim laws.
St. Mary's Cathedral
We have already found out what is the capital of Malaysia. Now consider its attractions. On the north side of Merdeka Square (Independence Square) is the oldest English cathedral - St. Mary's Cathedral.
The first, small temple building was wooden, and construction began in 1887.
But with the increase in the number of Englishmen in the city, it became necessary to build a new church. A competition for the best design of the cathedral was announced.
As a result, the competition committee approved the project of the architect A. Norman. The church wasre-consecrated in 1895. And in the same year an altar was installed, occupying an area of 60 square meters. meters. Nine years later, an organ was installed in the temple. It was made by Englishman Henry Willis, inventor of church organ instruments.
In the middle of the 20th century, during restoration work, halls for various receptions and living quarters for the servants of the cathedral from among the monks were added to the temple.
Now tourists can see the interior of the church and attend the liturgy, which takes place on Sundays, as well as on religious holidays.
Capital Golf Club
In 1893, an announcement appeared in the capital's newspaper, which stated that everyone could take part in the first game sports tournament. In the process, teams compete by driving balls into special holes (golf) with a club. The competition was held on Petaling Hill.
After the competition, the city authorities decided to create a golf course in this area.
Now the Royal Selangor club is considered one of the attractions of Kuala Lumpur, which is a territory where three golf courses, shady courts, and swimming pools are located. There are also various gyms, cafes and restaurants with national cuisine.
Interesting fact: Scotland is considered the birthplace of golf, and the game was invented in the 14th century by shepherds who drove small stones down rabbit holes with wooden sticks.
Independence Square
The main square is consideredIndependence Square. All national celebrations are held there. The square is the pride of the people of the Malaysian capital.
Surrounded by government offices, modern offices of private companies and buildings built during the British rule.
In the middle on the flagpole (the highest in the world - 95 meters) the national flag is flying. It was raised in 1957 as a symbol of an independent state.
In 1897, an amazingly beautiful building designed by the English architect A. Norman was built on this territory, in which the British administrative center was located. Then the leadership of the Supreme Arbitration Court of Malaysia was placed in it.
After some time, the building was named the palace of Sultan Abdul-Samad, who was then the ruler of the state of Selangor.
Tourists are given the opportunity to view the complex. It currently houses the Ministry of Culture.
Now, various state events and various national carnivals are taking place against the backdrop of the palace.
National Textile Museum
On Independence Square in the building of the colonial period there are expositions of products made from yarn on a loom - a textile museum.
Tourists can see the collection of national clothes worn by representatives of different communities.
Museum expositions are placed in several halls. There, the guides tell about the history of the development of this type of national craft.
ExceptIn addition, the museum has a collection of various jewelry items of the past centuries, made of precious metals and stones.
In one of the halls there is a stand, which presents the entire set of tools. They were used to make fabrics and apply various national patterns to textiles. The ornament applied to the material used to determine which class the wearer belongs to.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple
The main religious shrine of the Hindus of Malaysia is the temple complex of Sri Mahamariamman. It is considered the oldest temple in the capital of Malaysia (a photo of the shrine is presented below).
Construction began at the end of the 19th century at the expense of workers from South India. The construction of the religious building was dedicated to the Great Mother Mariamman (mother goddess in Hinduism).
The complex was built of wood, but two years later it was rebuilt and now tourists can see the stone structure, which was dismantled and moved to Chinatown in 1885.
Tourists can visit this current religious building, which is open from six in the morning until late at night. Guests of the capital of Malaysia are amazed not only by the colorful appearance, but also by the rich interior decoration.
The main hall is decorated with frescoes and statues of heroes of Hindu deities. The main shrine of the temple among believers is considered a silver four-wheeled cart, decorated with bells (more than 200 pieces). The chariot is used during the most important Hindu holiday - Thaipusam. During the holiday, the god Murugan is honored. statueplaced in a chariot and solemnly driven from the temple to the temple complex of the Batu Caves.
Tourists can also attend another major holiday - the festival of light Diwali. On this holiday, believers light a large number of candles, dress up in new colorful clothes, and thus celebrate the victory of light over darkness.
Batu Caves
Malaysia among tourists is considered an exotic country. It amazes the imagination with its natural attractions. A striking example is the Batu caves, located thirteen kilometers from the capital of Malaysia (their photographs are presented in the article below).
Natural limestone caves formed about 400 million years ago. According to archaeological excavations, representatives of an ancient tribe living in the forests of the peninsula (the Besisi tribe) found refuge here while hunting.
One version says that for the first time these caves were discovered by the Hindu Tambusami in 1800. According to other information, the American Hornedey was the discoverer in 1878.
Natural depressions got their name from the Sungai Batu River, which flows through the territory of the cave.
The grottoes are more than twenty limestone mounds, each with internal niches. Part of these voids has become a place of religious worship among the Hindus, who annually come here to perform the rite of worship. The main cave is called the Temple. There, in a huge limestone depression, is the main sanctuary - the Tamil temple.
Next caveis called the Dark Cave. Inside it are seven underground halls with a total length of more than two kilometers. It is known for its calcareous stalactites and stalagmites, formed over many centuries.
Tourists are also attracted to visit the Ramayana Cave. It is a repository of wall paintings that have survived to our time. The frescoes tell about the life and work of the hero of the ancient Indian epic Rama. Near the statue is a sculptural image of a monkey. The latter, according to legend, devotedly served Rama.
The famous two towers in the Malaysian capital (Kuala Lumpur)
Among the modern structures located next to the temples of the colonial period, tourists pay much attention to the inspection of high-rise twin buildings called the Petronas Towers.
Skyscrapers over 450 meters high and occupying a city area of 40 hectares were built in 1998.
Tourists can walk along the glass walkway connecting the two towers and get a bird's eye view of the city.
The total area of all the premises of the Petronas Towers, where offices and government organizations are now located, is 214 thousand square meters.
Excursions are organized for city guests on certain days, where guides talk about the technical features of the construction of this structure, which is considered the highest in the world.
The towers got their name from the oil and gas company "Prtronas", which was the customer for the construction of the future symbolmodern state and capital of Malaysia.
Royal Palace
The main attraction of Kuala Lumpur is the Royal Palace. The building was built in 1928 for a Chinese millionaire. During the occupation of the country by Japanese troops, this building was a dining room for officers, and then the residence of the Sultan of the State of Selangor.
After the independence of Malaysia, in 1957, the building was purchased. Then it passed into state ownership.
Now the palace complex is officially the residence of the King of the Federation of Malaysia.
For tourists, the entrance to the territory of the palace is prohibited. But guests of the capital of Malaysia can attend the changing of the guard near the main gate and take pictures against the backdrop of the palace complex.
Interesting facts about Malaysia
We have already figured out that Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, we looked at the photos of the sights. Now let's look at some interesting facts. In their reviews, tourists note that in this amazing country, unlike other countries in Southeast Asia, the Muslim spirit is not felt. The people are friendly, welcoming and all are fluent in modern English. Sightseeing tours of the capital of Malaysia amaze with attention to the history of the state.
Some interesting facts confirm this:
- Malaysia is considered to be the most multiethnic state of all 48 countries located in Asia. Of the 27 million inhabitants, half are considered Malaysians. The rest of the population is made up of Chinese, Indians and others.nationalities.
- The leadership of the state is tolerant of different religions. Although the official is Islam (the second largest after Christianity).
- Rafflesia grows only in Malaysia. The peculiarity of this plant is that the flower is considered the largest in the world (more than one meter in diameter). It is popularly called the "corpse flower", because during flowering it smells of rot.
- Useful and most controversial fruit - durian ("king of fruits") grows on durian trees in Malaysia and Thailand. This fruit has such a disgusting smell that many hotels do not allow it to be kept in the rooms. However, this soft and sweet fruit has beneficial properties for the body.
- Myths and legends about sea monsters are passed down from generation to generation in Malaysia. Therefore, the local citizens do not like to swim in the sea. Basically, immigrants are hired as lifeguards on the beach.
- Indigenous people consider monkeys to be the most dangerous animals. Schools of primates often show aggression towards humans.
- Swimming in large fresh water bodies in Malaysia is strictly prohibited, as many of them are inhabited by crocodiles.
- In the jungles of Malaysia there is a plant that is popularly called the "walking tree". Its roots grow from the middle of the trunk and moves along the ground in search of moist soil. In a year, this unusual plant can cover a distance of several meters.
- Not very far from the capital of Malaysia - Singapore. The flight takes just 40 minutes. Can be reached fromone city to another and by bus. You can also travel by train. The journey from the capital of Malaysia to Singapore will take four to five hours.
- The world's largest limestone cave is located in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak. It has dimensions of 2000x150x80 meters. The natural grotto is called the Deer Cave. Its area can accommodate several Boeing-747 aircraft.
- Synchronized speech competitions have been popular in schools in this country for many years. Participants in this unusual competition must simultaneously speak English expressively and perform complex choreographic exercises.
Conclusion
Now you know the names of the current and former capital of Malaysia. We looked at different sights, named them and described them. We hope that this information was interesting and informative for you. Now you can easily tell which is the capital of Malaysia. The name of the capital is Kuala Lumpur.
