| Indonesia | | | | Hatta, and more. |
| The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek | | | | Malaysia |
| words: Indos - meaning Indian and "Nesos" which | | | | The Malay Peninsula has thrived from its central |
| means islands. It is an appropriate description of | | | | position in the maritime trade routes between |
| the archipelago as there are estimated to be a | | | | China, India and the Middle East. It is shown on |
| total of 17,508 islands, of which only about 6,000 | | | | early map with a label that translates as "Golden |
| are inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between | | | | Chersonese"; the Straits of Malacca were |
| the Australian and Asian continental. The main | | | | referred to as "Sinus Sabaricus". The two distinct |
| islands are Sumatra Kalimantan), Sulawesi Irian | | | | parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by |
| Jaya), and last but not least Java. The nation's | | | | the South China Sea, share a largely similar |
| capital, Jakarta, has a fascinating and significant | | | | landscape in that both West and East Malaysia |
| history | | | | feature coastal plains rising to often densely |
| Climate-- Indonesia's climate is definitely tropical. | | | | forested hills and mountains. Putrajaya is the |
| The main seasons are summer, winter and | | | | newly created administrative capital whereas the |
| monsoon; it is devoid of autumn and spring. | | | | capital city isKuala Lumpur. Georgetown, Ipoh, |
| Culture-- Indonesia is rich in art and culture which | | | | Johor Bahru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Alor Sar, |
| are intertwined with religion and age-old traditions. | | | | Malacca Tow, and Klang are the major cities. |
| The basic principles which guide life include the | | | | Climate -- It's hot and humid year-round in |
| concepts of mutual assistance or "gotong royong". | | | | Malaysia . |
| Religious influences on the community are varied | | | | Culture -- Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural |
| from island to island. Indonesia is rich with culture | | | | and multilingual society, consisting of 52% Malays |
| with 250 - 300 ethnic groups live here. | | | | and other indigenous tribes. With Malays, Chinese |
| From graceful court and temple dances to | | | | and Indians living side by side The music, art, |
| charming folk dances and boisterous play, the | | | | food, dance, architecture and general day to day |
| performing arts of Indonesia offer an astounding | | | | living are influenced by all three to some degree, |
| range of types and styles, shadow puppeteer is | | | | creating some of Asia's most fascinating sounds, |
| famous. | | | | sights and tastes. Malaysian traditional music is |
| Cuisine-- Fish features prominently in the diet as | | | | heavily influenced by Chinese and Islamic forms, it |
| fresh, salted, dried, smoked or a paste. Coconut is | | | | is based largely around the gendang (drum), but |
| found everywhere. The staple food traditionally | | | | includes other percussion instruments. The country |
| ranges from rice corn, sago, cassava to sweet | | | | has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas, |
| potatoes. | | | | some of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other |
| Hot spots-Indonesia is a mix of beaches, forests | | | | artistic forms include wayang kulit (shadow puppet |
| and cities- Amlapura, Bali Barat National Park, Irian | | | | theatre), silat (a stylised martial art). |
| Jaya, , Java, , Jakarta, Baluran National Park, | | | | Cuisine -- There is a great variety; spicy Malay |
| Karimunjawa Islands, Kalimantan (Borneo), Gili | | | | Food, a seemingly endless variety of Chinese |
| Islands, Gunung Rinjani (Mount Rinjani), Kuta, , | | | | food, exotic cuisine from North and South India, |
| Pulau Bunaken, Rantepao, Tanatoraja, , Sumatra, , | | | | as well as Nyonya and Portuguese Food. |
| Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (Great Bukit | | | | Hot spots -- Malaysia's love of Western-style is |
| Barisan Forest Park), Harau Valley, Jangga Village, | | | | abundantly clear in its big cities, Kuala Lumpur, |
| Kerinci-Seblat National Park, Lingga Village, Medan, | | | | Penang etc. Malaysia boasts some of the most |
| Mentawai Islands, Ngalau Indah Caves, Ngarai | | | | superb beaches, mountains and national parks in |
| Sianok (Sianok Canyon), Padang, Pandaan Beach, | | | | Asia. Cameron Highlands, Batu Caves, Lake |
| Pandi Sikat, Parapat, Samosir Island, Siberut Island, | | | | Gardens ,Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre, |
| Sipiso-piso Waterfall, Taman Hutan Raya Bung | | | | Taman Negara National Park. |