This biodiversity is the part of the reason Malaysia has some fruits that aren't grown in the U.S., such as durian, a strong-tasting fruit which is used to make many types of popular dishes.
One major challenge people face living in this environment, particularly in rural places like Perlis, is the late arrival of the rainy season. Rice is the main crop in Perlis. When growing this crop you need warm weather, which the dry season provides, and water, which the rainy season provides. If the rainy season comes late, the crop doesn't get the water it needs and might get ruined. This negatively affects the livelihood of farmers and other people depending on them for food. That's why when it does finally rain, you can hear people say alhamdulillah, or "praise be to God" in Arabic.
During the dry season, temperatures can reach up to 37 degrees Celsius, or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit during these months. You would expect to wear shorts in this hot and humid weather, but this isn't the case for Muslims in Malaysia. In Islam, there are is a concept called awrah, which dictates that certain parts of the body must be covered in the presence of the opposite sex. Muslim men have to be covered from their belly button to their knees, while Muslim women have to cover their entire body, including their hair. Keeping this in mind, certain routines change during the dry season. For example, co-curriculur activities, which usually happen after school in the U.S., happen before classes start in Malaysia, when the sun is not at its highest.
