Geology Geography of Malaysia

1 geology

1.1 mountain ranges
1.2 forests
1.3 caves
1.4 islands
1.5 extreme points

geology

the topography of peninsular malaysia.

malaysia located on sunda shelf, , tectonically inactive. oldest rocks in country date 540 million years ago, , sedimentary. common form of rock limestone, formed during paleozoic era. limestone laid down in east malaysia during tertiary period has since eroded, , such erosion forms basins of sedimentary rocks rich in oil , natural gas. mountain ranges in malaysia formed through orogenesis beginning in mesozoic era.

the total land area of malaysia 329,613 square kilometres (127,260 sq mi), 66th largest country in world in terms of area. country contain land on both mainland asia , malay archipelago. peninsular malaysia makes 132,090 square kilometres (51,000 sq mi), or 39.7% of country s land area, while east malaysia covers 198,847 square kilometres (76,780 sq mi), or 60.3%. total land area, 1,200 square kilometres (460 sq mi) or 0.37% made of water such lakes, rivers, or other internal waters. malaysia has total coastline of 4,675 kilometres (2,905 mi), , peninsular malaysia has 2,068 kilometres (1,285 mi), while east malaysia has 2,607 kilometres (1,620 mi) of coastline.

malaysia has 29th longest coastline in world. 2 distinct parts of malaysia, separated each other south china sea, share largely similar landscape in both west (peninsular) , east malaysia feature coastal plains rising hills , mountains.

the topography of malaysian borneo.

peninsular malaysia covers southern half of malay peninsula, , extends 740 kilometres (460 mi) north south, , maximum width 322 kilometres (200 mi). mountainous, more half of on 150 metres (492 ft) above sea level. half of peninsular malaysia covered granite , other igneous rocks, third more covered stratified rocks older granite, , remainder covered alluvium.

harbours available on peninsula s western side, , fertile land occurs when river valleys flow out sea. coastal plains bordering straits of malacca densely populated areas of malaysia, , contains malaysia s capital, kuala lumpur.

east malaysia, on island of borneo, has coastline of 2,607 kilometres (1,620 mi). divided between coastal regions, hills , valleys, , mountainous interior. there 2 major cities, kuching , kota kinabalu. of southern sarawak coastal lowlands, shifts series of plateaus going north, ending in mountainous regions of sabah.

mountain ranges

mount kinabalu, highest point of malaysia, located in sabah.

the highest mountain range in malaysia crocker range in sabah, divides state in half. range includes mount kinabalu, highest mountain in country, mount tambuyukon, third highest in country. mount kinabalu, @ 4,095.2 metres (13,436 ft), tallest mountain in malaysia , protected kinabalu national park, unesco world heritage site.

mountain ranges in east tend follow north-south or northeast-southwest paths, , highest ranges form border between malaysia , indonesia. mountains contain many jagged limestone peaks. trus madi range, in sabah, houses mount trus madi, second highest peak in malaysia. bombalai hill in sabah active volcano in malaysia.

peninsular malaysia contains numerous mountain ranges running parallel north south along peninsula. main mountain range titiwangsa mountains, divides peninsula between east , west coasts. houses mount korbu, second highest peak in peninsular. these mountains heavily forested, , composed of granite. range origin of of peninsular malaysia s river systems. east of range bintang range. highest peak in peninsular mount tahan, located on tahan range.

forests


malacca botanical garden.

malaysian forests can categorised tropical rainforest. approximately 58.2% of malaysian land covered forest. large amount of lowland forest present below altitude of 760 metres (2,493 ft). east malaysia, of borneo, formerly covered borneo lowland rain forests on 2000 tree species. however, of has been cleared, due increase in logging since 1960s , increase of shifting cultivation. on 80% of sarawak s forests have been felled, , logging throughout east malaysia has polluted waterways, increased erosion, , damaged agriculture. state governments have taken measures halt degradation of rainforest.

malaysia s rainforest s made of variety of types, dipterocarp, swamps, , mangroves. majority of forest dipterocarp forests. dipterocarps species centred in malaysia. there on 1,425 square kilometres (550 sq mi) of mangroves in malaysia. areas designated forest reserves, state parks, or national parks. management of these reserves under control of department of wildlife , national park, forest department of sarawak, sabah forestry department, sabah foundation, , sabah parks. of 2000, there 2 world heritage sites under natural category – kinabalu national park , gunung mulu national park.

caves

numerous caves run through peninsula , east, due karst landscape caused water eroding limestone. mulu caves in east malaysia largest caves in world. located between penambo range , brunei, , form major tourist attraction. @ 700 metres (2,297 ft) long , 70 metres (230 ft) high sarawak chamber largest cave chamber in world. other famous caves 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) deer cave , lang s cave.

islands

a beach on redang island in south china sea.

malaysia contains numerous islands, largest of banggi island in sabah, has area of 440.7 square kilometres (170 sq mi). followed betruit island in sarawak, langkawi in kedah, , penang island in penang. largest island shared country borneo, followed sebatik island. in addition, malaysia lies within world s coral reef distribution. reefs can found around islands such sipadan island, swallow reef, , redang island. sipadan island, underwater mountain, malaysia s oceanic island.

extreme points

the southernmost point of malaysia located in district of serian in sarawak. tanjung piai on southern tip of johor southernmost point in peninsular, , of whole of continental eurasia. easternmost point found on tip of dent peninsular in lahad datu district in sabah. northernmost point found on northern tip of banggi island. westernmost point pulau perak, sandstone rock rises @ center of strait of malacca.