Malaysia7 Putrajaya1

1. Putrajaya 1

2. 7 With a population of over 30 million, Malaysia is the world's 44th most populous country. Kuala Lumpur is the national capital and largest city, the cultural, financial, and economic centre of Malaysia. Located 36 km or about 45 minutes drive south of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya is situated within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), beside the also newly developed Cyberjaya. Moving the national administrative machinery from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya and leaving Kuala Lumpur as the country's financial and commercial capital, it was developed in line with the Government's policy to provide a more balanced development and to ensure continued growth in the Klang Valley. Putrajaya is divided into various precincts which are identified by their predominant economic activities with the Government Precinct being spatially prominent.

3. The Core Area which is divided into five precincts, establishes the overall identity of Putrajaya. At the North of the Core Area is where the Federal Government precinct is located with most of its ministries, departments and agencies.

4. Forming the spine of Putrajaya is a 4.2km boulevard that runs right through the middle linking the Core Area precincts

5. The Boulevard is one of the distinctive features of Putrajaya. 100m wide x 4 km long, the Boulevard forms the central spine linking the five core precincts of Putrajaya. Designed for ceremonial parades such such as the National Day celebration, it passes through four squares (dataran) or plazas - Dataran Wawasan, Dataran Rakyat, Dataran Putrajaya and Dataran Gemilang

6. The design and landscaping of the Boulevard celebrate the nation's diverse cultures and a rich Malaysian heritage. The Boulevard paving is inspired by the patterned of the songket, and the street furniture by traditional clay pots

7. Putra Square can be described as the main square in Putrajaya and is where the Boulevard is linked to the Perdana Putra building. The 300 metres circular ceremonial area is an open hard landscape encircled by Chahar Baghs, acts as a transition between the parks and the ceremonial area, with carefully arranged interplay of paths, water channels, flower beds and trees

8. Putra Square or Dataran is divided into 11 segments, in the pattern of an 11-pointed star. The outer 11-pointed star represents the initial 11 states of Malaya when the country gained independence in August 1957, the inner 13-pointed star constitutes the 13 states that later formed Malaysia in 1963.

9. The progressive arrangements of the different pointed stars finally culminate in a circle in the centre of the Dataran symbolising the ultimate goal of unity

12. Putra Mosque, Situated next to a lake, it is modeled after Persian Islamic architecture of the Safavid period with several elements derived from other Muslim cultures. The main entrance is patterned after gates to public buildings in Muslim Persia

13. Putra Mosque was constructed mainly with rose-tinted granite, offset by brown-stained cengal woodwork to enhance the decorative features on the doors, windows and panels. It is located next to the Perdana Putra, which houses the Malaysian Prime Minister's office and man-made Putrajaya Lake

14. The Putra Mosque (Masjid Putra) is the principal mosque of Putrajaya

21. Construction of the Putra mosque began in 1997 and was completed two years later.

22. The pink-domed Putra Mosque is constructed with rose-tinted granite

24. In front of the mosque is a large square with flagpoles flying Malaysian states' flags

26. The mosque can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at any one time

33. The Putra Mosque consists of three main functional areas – the prayer hall, the Sahn, or courtyard, and various learning facilities and function rooms

35. The Putra Mosque is located next to the Perdana Putra, the Malaysian Prime Minister's office

37. Coat of arms of Putrajaya The vast man-made Putrajaya Lake is the city’s central feature

38. Dubbed the futuristic administrative capital of the country, Putrajaya is famous for its strategic town planning, striking architecture, the largest roundabout in the world (at 3.5 km in diameter), as well as scenic man-made lake. It is often regarded as a place for official functions and events.

41. Mobile tourist information

42. The Perdana Putra is the building which houses the office complex of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Located on the main hill in Putrajaya, it has become synonymous with the executive branch of the Malaysian federal government

44. Construction of Perdana Putra began in 1997 and was completed in early 1999. The building was first occupied in April 1999 after all sections of the Prime Minister's Department moved from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya

45. Seri Perdana Prime Ministers residence is open to the public six days a week. Visitors can go on guided tours of the residence and will have access to the Protocol and Banquet blocks. Seri Perdana began construction in 1997 and was completed in 1999, on 42.5 acres of hilly land.

46. The 12-metre steel sculpture by Ahmed Al Bahrani (a contemporary Iraqi artist and sculptor) in Dataran Putra signifies the international communities’ efforts to combat corruption and the unwavering strength and resolve of those presently engaged in this fight

47. Putrajaya is even more beautiful by night! The city is, of course, lit up by streetlights and lights from buildings. What’s more enchanting is the lights on several of the iconic bridges of the city.

48. One of the main bridges, the Putra Bridge is 435m long, connecting Precints 1 and 2

49. The upper level of the bridge forms part of the Boulevard, or the main street in the capital. Its design is inspired by the Islamic architecture of the famous Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran. Its attractions include the four minaret- like piers complete with observation decks that overlook Lake Putrajaya

50. The Putra Bridge