Page 281 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

THE GUIDE TO MALAYSIA 273
(459km). Even the country’s capital is named after two rivers; it grew from the point where the Gombak and Klang Rivers meet, hence the name Kuala Lumpur (muddy confluence).
Lakes
Malaysia has over 90 natural and man-made lakes. Naturally-formed lakes such as Tasik Bera and Tasik Chini in Pahang have long provided a livelihood to indigenous communities and a safe habitat for many waterbird species, while the oxbow lakes of Sabah are popular ecotourism destinations. Sarawak’s remarkable Loagan Bunut, which dries up every year, is even gazetted as a National Park. Man-made lakes are also abundant; recreational lakes in the Klang Valley and Perak, created from former tin-mine pools, offer boating and angling facilities. The 695sq km Bakun Hydropower Reservoir in Sarawak, the largest man-made lake in
Taming Malaysia’s rivers: the Sungai Sarawak Regulation Scheme, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, protects Kuching from devastating floods.
Southeast Asia, is being developed for ecotourism and aquaculture, while
the former record-holder, Tasik Kenyir in Terengganu, has become a major eco- tourism destination.
The Sea
Malaysia’s extensive mangroves and coral
reefs provide rich marine habitats, so fishing has been important since prehistoric times. The fisheries industry supports a workforce of more
than 110,000 and the annual catch, including aquaculture, is over 1.5 million tonnes. A strategic location on the Straits of Malacca means maritime
trade also has a long history. The Sultanate
of Melaka founded the world’s first dedicated trade entrepot as early as 1424 AD and the tradition continues today. Malaysia
is home to two of the world’s top-20 busiest container ports, Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas. Tourism is another major beneficiary of the extensive coastline. Pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters attract tourists to the coasts and islands, with accommodation ranging from homestays to 5-star resorts offering both relaxation and recreation, including world-class yachting, windsurfing and scuba diving.
LNG Seri Cenderawasih, a Malaysian-flagged liquid Temenggor Lake is a man-made lake and second largest natural gas tanker, is the proud inheritor of a maritime
in Malaysia. trade tradition dating back almost 600 years.