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Gerneral Information

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is one of the three Malaysian Federal Territories. It is an enclave within the state of Selangor, on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Within Malaysia, the city is commonly referred to as KL.
The Malaysian Parliament operates in the city, making it the country's legislative capital. The city once hosted the Malaysian judiciary and executive arms, which have largely moved to Putrajaya since its completion in the late 1990s. Some sections of the judicial branch remain in the capital.

History

Kuala Lumpur had its origins in the 1850s, when the Malay Chief of Klang sent Chinese upriver to open new and larger tin mines. They landed at the confluence of Sungai Gombak (previously Sungai Lumpur, which means Muddy River)(Kuala Lumpur could mean muddy upriver or upriver of Sungai Lumpur) and This trading post was a wild frontier town plagued by floods, fires, disease and the Selangor Civil War. During this time, Kapitan Cina Yap Ah Loy emerged as a leader, responsible for the survival and growth of the town. In 1880, the Selangor state capital was moved from Klang to the more strategically advantageous Kuala Lumpur.
After the fire and subsequent flood of 1881 destroyed the town's structures of wood and atap (thatch), Frank Swettenham, the British Resident of Selangor, required that buildings be constructed of brick and tile. A railway increased accessibility. Development intensified in the 1890s, leading to the creation of a Sanitary Board. In 1896, Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States.
Facts about the Travel
location Kuala Lumpur
date 01.08.2007 - 05.08.2007
country Malaysia, MY flag
traveled by plane
average temperature ~ 22-23°C
currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Inhabitants 6,900,000
language malay / english
Picturegallery go to the gallery
in combination with Asia 2007

A multiracial community settled in various sections of town. The Chinese congregated around the commercial centre of Market Square, east of Sungai Klang, and south into Chinatown. To the north, across Java Street (now Jalan Tun Perak) were the Malays. Nearby, a number of Indian Chettiars (money-lenders), and in later years Indian Muslim traders, set up business. West of the river, the Padang (now Merdeka Square) was the focal point of the British administration.

Geography

Kuala Lumpur is located inland, at the confluence of Klang and Gombak River. Mostly surrounded by forests and hills, it is the only city in the world to have a million-year-old primary forest within the heart of the city.

The geography of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is characterized by a huge valley — known as the Klang Valley — bordered by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east, several minor ranges in the north and the south and the Malacca Straits in the west. The name Kuala Lumpur literally means muddy confluence; Kuala Lumpur is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers, facing the Malacca Straits.

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Where is Kuala Lumpur?
Located in the center of Selangor State, Kuala Lumpur was previously under Selangor State Government. In 1974, Kuala Lumpur was separated from Selangor to form today's Kuala Lumpur under the Malaysian Federal Government. Its location on the West Coast of the Peninsula of Malaysia, which has wider flat land than the East Coast, has contributed to its faster development relative to other cities in Malaysia.

The city is currently 243.65 km² (94.07 sq mi) wide, with an average elevation of 21.95 m (72 ft).

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Skyline of Kuala Lumpur

Climate

Protected by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east and Indonesia's Sumatra Island in the west, Kuala Lumpur enjoys a year-round equatorial climate which is warm and sunny, along with plentiful rainfall, especially during the southwest monsoon from April to September. Dust particles from forest fires on nearby Sumatra Island sometimes create a phenomenon known as the haze. This usually lasts for 1 to 2 weeks.

Places of interest

There are popular tourist locations in and around Kuala Lumpur.
A list of this attrations is given by the table below.
* The Golden Triangle, the commercial hub of the city, contains the Petronas Twin Towers and has a distinctive nightlife.
* The Petronas Twin Towers are the world's tallest twin towers and second and third-tallest singular towers, standing adjacent to one of the busiest shopping malls in Malaysia, Suria KLCC.
* The Menara Kuala Lumpur, currently the world's fifth tallest telecommunication tower, is located on the Bukit Nanas hill beside Convent Bukit Nanas. It's observation deck on the top floor provides great city views, and you'll be a few meters higher than the Twin Towers since the tower is built on a hill.
* Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) is the first convention and exhibition centre in Malaysia.
* Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (also known as KLCC) is another convention and exhibition centre in Kuala Lumpur. It is situated in the Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC area. A gigantic aquarium called Aquaria KLCC recently opened here, housing more than 5,000 varieties of tropical fishes. It has an underwater tunnel, various exhibits of flora and fauna, and multimedia kiosks.
* Dayabumi a major landmark located near Masjid Negara. It is an office building.
* Kuala Lumpur General Post Office is located next to Dayabumi.
* Lake Gardens, a 920,000 square metre manicured garden near the Malaysian Parliament building, was once home to a British colonial official. They include a Butterfly Park, Deer Park, Orchid Garden, Hibiscus Garden and South-East Asia's largest Bird Park. (Bird park pics)
* Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), was initially erected for the country's declaration of independence on August 31, 1957.
* Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square/Merdeka Square), was the site of the lowering of the Union Jack flag and hoisting of the Malayan flag on the start of August 31, 1957. The square itself has historic association with its surroundings, namely the Royal Selangor Club, National History Museum and the architecturally Victorian-Moorish or 'Raj' influenced Sultan Abdul Samad Building.
* Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, a Victorian-Moorish railway station, was completed in 1911, and superseded by KL Sentral in 2001; it currently serves commuter trains only.
* The Muzium Negara (National Museum) incorporates neo traditionalism into its architectural design.
* The Masjid Negara (National Mosque), a post modernist mosque, was completed in 1965 and Makam Pahlawan (Heroes Mausoleum) the mausoleum of Malaysian leaders.
* The Parliament House, a Malaysian federal government legislative building, was completed on 1963.
* The Tugu Negara (National Monument) commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggles for freedom (principally against the Japanese occupation and during the Malayan Emergency of).
* The Istana Negara, official residence of Their Majesties the King and Queen. Visitors can witness the changing of the guards daily from the main gate.
* The National Science Centre, located in Bukit Damansara.
* The Federal Territory Mosque located along Jalan Duta.
* Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, a gazetted small tropical forest located on the centre of Kuala Lumpur City.
* Many of the largest celebrations of Chinese cultural festivals are held at the Thean Hou Temple on Robson Hill.
* The Chinese Night Market area (Chinatown), Petaling Street, has recently undergone a makeover; the most notable feature is the new covered walkway.
* Mid Valley Megamall, one of the popular and largest shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur (situated in Bangsar).
* Bukit Bintang, the ultimate shopping and entertainment experience in the Golden Triangle.
* Berjaya Times Square, a newly built gargantuan ten-story shopping mall that is the largest shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, and among the world's top ten largest malls. It houses the world's largest Borders bookstore, Malaysian department store Metrojaya, the Cosmo's World theme park plus a huge IMAX theater.
* The Mall is a shopping complex near Putra World Trade Centre.
* Kuala Lumpur's Central Market, which was once the city's wet market, offers an assortment of arts and craft merchandise, varying from antiques and paintings to souvenirs and clothing. It is also known as Pasar Seni in Malay.
* Trendy nightclubs, bars and lounges, such as Hard Rock Cafe, Zouk, Thai Club, Beach Club (voted Best Bar in Asia), Luna Bar, Rum Jungle, Nuovo, Espanda and many others are located within and around Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang.
* Brickfields, Jalan Masjid India and Lebuh Ampang are 'Little India's spread around KL showing Indian presence in KL.
* Hindu temples such as Sri Mahamariamman temple near Central Market and Sri Kandaswamy Kovil in Brickfields
* Istana Budaya, the national theatre located at Titiwangsa Lake Gardens.
* Eye on Malaysia, the tallest Ferris Wheel in Malaysia located at Titiwangsa Lake Gardens.
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Skytrain

Arts

Kuala Lumpur is a hub for cultural activities and events. Among the centres is the National Museum which is situated along the Mahameru Highway. It offers various types of collection such as artefacts and paintings collected throughout the country. Another arts venue is the Kuala Lumpur Philharmonic Hall. It is headquartered to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), comprising a cast of international musicians and features regular concerts, chamber concerts and traditional cultural performances. The National Art Gallery is located on Jalan Temerloh, off Jalan Tun Razak on a 5.67 hectare site neighboring the National Theater and National Library. The unique architecture of the gallery incorporates elements of traditional Malay architecture, which combined with contemporary lines has distinguished the complex as one of the most modern art venues in the region. A short distance from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the Putra World Trade Centre (popularly known as PWTC) and the major hotels of Kuala Lumpur, the gallery is a popular venue for visitors to the city. The National Art Gallery serves as a centre of excellence and trustee of the national art heritage. Additionally, The Petronas Art Gallery which is also a centre for fine art, is situated in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in Sentul West is also a noted centre for the performing arts, notably theatre and music (it can also host film screening). It has housed many local productions and has been a supporter of local and regional independent performance artists. Amongst the highlights of the year so far was the KL Sing Song 2006 music fest which featured Malaysian singer-songwriters of various cultural backgrounds, from both West and East Malaysia, through two days of performances and workshops. Kuala Lumpur holds an annual festival called Malaysia International Gourmet Festival. It is primarily held in the city center. Another event in Kuala Lumpur is Kuala Lumpur Fashion week, which includes international brands as well as local designers.
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(click on the image)

Transportation

Kuala Lumpur has a road network leading to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia. Motorists may have a choice of paying cash, using stored value card Touch 'n Go or SmartTAG to pay at the toll booths while using the various highways/expressways. A near-complete project, SMART Tunnel will allow motorists to enter the city, avoiding congestion by using an underground tunnel. However, despite all this, Kuala Lumpur often has traffic problems, and peak hour traffic is generally from 7:30am to 8:45am, and from 5:45pm to 8:30pm.
Kuala Lumpur is directly connected to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang via the KLIA Ekspres high-speed train service which takes only 28 minutes, while travelling by car via highway will take about an hour. The former international airport, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang is now used for chartered flights. Malaysia Airlines and all major international airlines to Malaysia land at KLIA. AirAsia makes use of the newly built Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCC-T) in Sepang. LCC-T is accessible to/from KL through a bus service from KL Sentral (transport hub).

Public transport on Kuala Lumpur and the rest of the Klang Valley covers a variety of transport modes such as bus, rail and taxi. Unlike most other major Asian cities, utilisation rates are low as only 16 percent of the population uses public transportation. In addition, there is the metro system consisting of 3 separate lines, which meet in the city and extend to the Western Suburbs of the state of Selangor. The metro system consists of a Monorail, an Elevated Metro, and an Automated Metro with underground stations in the city centre. Food, pets, drinks are strictly prohibited among trains and heavy penalties are charged upon violation. Commuter trains also exists to link commuters to the city. The main hub is KL Sentral facilitating as an interchange station for the main lines.