Geography and Environment of Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia extends south for 800 kilometers from Thailand’s Isthmus of Kra to Singapore and the Indonesian Archipelago. Sabah and Sarawak, the States of East Malaysia lie 600 kilometers to the east across the South China Sea. These two States, former British colonies on the northeast coast of Borneo, stretch for 1,000 kilometers to the southern islands of the Philippines. A central mountain range with peaks rising to 2,100 meters divides Peninsular Malaysia. Scenic coastal plains lie on either side of the mountains; most of the population lives in the plains and foothills of the western coast along the Straits of Malacca. The eastern coast, along the South China Sea, has beautiful white, sandy beaches, but fewer people. Between the two coasts lie the mountains and an often-impenetrable jungle. Primary forest covers 60% of Malaysia and contains a variety of flowering plants and immense, but now diminishing, timber reserves. Vegetation, even in the cities, is lush and tropical. Forest wildlife includes gibbons; tigers; elephants; mouse deer; countless species of birds, monkeys and insects; and, in Sabah and Sarawak, the orangutan.

Detailed geography