MALAYSIA Multiculturalism has made Malaysia home to hundreds of colourful festivals. Malaysia's rich heritage of diversity in race and culture is reflected in her 27.17 million population, whereby Malay, Chinese and Indian make up the major ethnic groups. Although 'Bahasa Malaysia' (Malay) is the official language, international visitors do not face any language barrier as English is widely spoken everywhere in the country. Set in the heart of Southeast Asia and geographically located on the north-western side of Australia, Malaysia is easily accessible from most parts of the world by air, surface and sea links. Over 45 international airlines fly into the country while national carrier Malaysia Airlines has a global network that spans six continents and a national network that covers more than 36 local destinations. From the main cities Down Under, Kuala Lumpur (capital of Malaysia), is only approximately 6 hours flight journey away. From KL to Penang, it only takes 45 mins to fly or 4 hours to drive (369km). Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Standard Time. Penang has long been one of Southeast Asia's finest destinations, with outstanding beaches and exotic sights, making it a popular destination in the region. Georgetown, the capital of Penang, is a favourite spot for tourists as it has many quaint pre-Second World War houses as well as 19th century churches, temples, mosques and colonial buildings. The city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008. Those who like tropical climate will enjoy Malaysia's warm and slightly humid weather all year round, with temperatures in the lowlands ranging 21 - 320C. On the other hand, the highlands found in various spots of the country allow cooler temperatures of 15 - 250C. Since her independence in 1957, Malaysia has developed into a prominent international business hub in Asia. Manufacturing constitutes the largest single component of Malaysia's economy. Tourism and primary commodities such as petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are other major contributions to the country's economy.