FACTS

Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam

Area (only Total) total:

Climate: 329,750 sq km

Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains

Population: 25,274,133 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Bahasa Malaysia

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital (Name): Kuala Lumpur

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+8

Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 10 Hari Raya Tussa (Islamic New Year)

February 7 Chinese New Year

March 20 Prophet's Birthday

May 1 Labour Day

May 20 Buddha Purnima/Vesak

June * Ajung's Birthday

August 31 National Day

October 1 Hari Raya Puasa (Eid Al Fitr)- National

October / November * Deepavali

December 8 Hari Raya Haji (Eid Al Adha)

December 25 Christmas Day

You should know:

Holidays falling on a weekend (Sunday or Friday depending on the state - see below for details) will generally be celebrated on the following day. Also, should two holidays coincide, an extra day may be given immediately after.

There are flower festivals in July (usually 1 week in mid-July) which may disrupt work.

Weekend - In Wilayah Persekutuan, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Sarawak and Sabah: Half day Saturday, full day Sunday

Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu: Half day Thursday, full day Friday

* Date Not Confirmed