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Malaysia  

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The Federation of Malaysia is a country comprising 13 states and 3 federal territories in Southeast Asia, occupying a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometres (127,355 sq mi). The population stands at over 25 million.[1] Malaysia's capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government.

Location of Malaysia. For map with more details, see below.
Tourism Malaysia Promotion 2007  (Video credit: yapthomas)

2.   Malaysia is separated into two regions, Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, by the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia constitutes about 40% of the country's total area while East Malaysia constitutes the rest. Located near the equator, Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, at 13,455 feet (4,101 metres), is the highest peak in Malaysia.


3.   Malaysia's population comprises many ethnic groups, with the Malays and other bumiputra groups in Sabah and Sarawak making up the majority (65%).[1] 26% of the population are Malaysian Chinese, and 8% are Malaysian Indians.[1] Islam is the official religion of the federation. The official language is the Malay language, originally written in Jawi based on the Arabic script, but the Roman alphabet (Rumi) is more often used today.


4.   There were already numerous kingdoms in Malaya since the 2nd century. In the early-15th century, the Malacca Sultanate was established under a dynasty founded by Parameswara. Thriving on entrepot trade, the Sultanate became the most important port in Southeast Asia during the 15th and the early 16th century. Britain established its first colony in the Malay peninsula in 1786, with the lease of the island of Penang to the British East India Company by the Sultan of Kedah. During the late-19th century, many Malay states decided to obtain British help in settling their internal conflicts, paving the way for the expansion of British influence in Malaya. On the island of Borneo, Sabah was governed as the crown colony of British North Borneo, while Sarawak was acquired from Brunei as the personal kingdom of the Brooke family who ruled as white Rajahs.


5.   Following the Japanese Invasion of Malaya and its occupation during World War II, popular support for independence grew.[1] Independence for the Federation of Malaya was granted on August 31, 1957. Malaysia was formed on September 16, 1963, comprising Malaya (now Peninsular Malaysia), Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah. In August 1965, Singapore seceded from the federation and became an independent republic. Malaysia's head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (conventionally referred to as 'the King' or 'the Agong'). The government, closely modeled after the Westminster parliamentary system,[1] is headed by a Prime Minister. As a former British colony, it is therefore a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.[1]


6.   Between the 1980s and the mid-1990s, Malaysia experienced significant economic growth under the premiership of Mahathir bin Mohamad.[1] The period saw a shift from an agriculture-based economy to one based on manufacturing and industry in areas such as computers and consumer electronics. With a GDP per capita standing at US$14,400, it has, from time to time, been considered a newly industrialised country. [{{{1}}}  more... at {{{2}}}]

Map of the states of Malaysia


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