Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A bit about the history of Malaysia. There has been evidence of habitation in Malaysia for 40,000 years. Trading ports developed as early as 2000 BC and reflected Chinese and Indian influences. By the 2nd century fairly stable kingdoms (or Sultanates) emerged along with 2 major religions: Islam and Hindu. (Islam is the official religion). In the 1500s the region was conquered by the Portuguese, then the the Dutch and, in 1786, by the English.They continued to rule until Japan conquered the region in WW II. Following the war the British returned but Malaysia began agitating for independence which was achieved in 1967. The economy is supported by large oil reserves.

The system of government is a constitutional monarchy. The monarchy are the hereditary Sultans of each of the 13 provinces. Each Sultan rotates into the position of King every 6 years. It is unclear to me what his powers are. There is a prime minister and a bicameral legislature.

The city of Kuala Lumpur, population, 2 million (greater metropolitan area 8 million), is one of the thirteen provinces and contains the capital city. Its economy used to be based on tin production but now it is based on finance, real estate, government and service industry.

On my tour it was clear that the city is proud of its status. The guide repeatedly pointed to the skyscrapers (the Petronas Twin Towers and the Blue Building-the tallest in the world until recently) as signs of the city's importance and emergence into the modern world.Read more