Malaysia

Malaysia (orthographic projection)

Location Malaysia ASEAN

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LA2-NSRW-1-0148 malaysia

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AMH-6472-KB Battle for Malacca between the VOC fleet and the Portuguese, 1606

Malaysia is a country located in Southeast Asia. It consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two similarly sized regions, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Malaysian Borneo). Peninsular Malaysia shares a land and maritime border with Thailand in the north and maritime borders with Singapore in the south, Vietnam in the northeast, and Indonesia in the west. East Malaysia shares land and maritime borders with Brunei and Indonesia and a maritime border with the Philippines and Vietnam. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. With a population of over 32 million, Malaysia is the world's 44th most populous country. The southernmost point of continental Eurasia, Tanjung Piai, is in Malaysia. In the tropics, Malaysia is one of 17 megadiverse countries, home to a number of endemic species.

Malaysia has its origins in the Malay kingdoms present in the area which, from the 18th century, became colonies of the British Empire. The first British territories were known as the Straits Settlements, whose establishment was followed by the Malay kingdoms becoming British protectorates. The territories on Peninsular Malaysia were first unified as the Malayan Union in 1946. Malaya was restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and achieved independence on 31 August 1957. Malaya united with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore on 16 September 1963 to become Malaysia. In 1965, Singapore was expelled from the federation.

The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, which plays a large role in its politics. About half the population is ethnically Malay, with large minorities of Malaysian Chinese, Malaysian Indians, and indigenous peoples. The country's official language is Malay, which is a standard form of the Malay language. The constitution declares Islam the state religion while allowing freedom of religion for non-Muslims. The government system is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and the legal system is based on common law. The head of state is an elected monarch, chosen from the hereditary rulers of the nine Malay states every five years. The head of government is the Prime Minister.

Since its independence, Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with its GDP growing at an average of 6.5% per annum for almost 50 years. The economy has traditionally been fuelled by its natural resources, but is expanding in the sectors of science, tourism, commerce, and medical tourism. Malaysia has a newly industrialised market economy, ranked third largest in Southeast Asia and 33rd largest in the world. It is a founding member of ASEAN, EAS, OIC, and a member of APEC, the Commonwealth, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Geography

Malaysia is the 66th largest country by total land area, with a land area of 329,847 square kilometers (127,350 sq mi). It has land borders with Thailand in West Malaysia, and Indonesia and Brunei in East Malaysia. It is linked to Singapore by a narrow causeway and a bridge. The country also has maritime boundaries with Vietnam and the Philippines. The climate is equatorial and characterized by the annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons.

Demographics

The population of Malaysia was estimated to be around 32 million in 2020. It is ethnically diverse, with the Malays and indigenous peoples making up about 61.7% of the population, Chinese 20.8%, Indians 6.2%, and other ethnic groups 11.3%. The largest religious group in Malaysia is Muslims, followed by Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus. Malay is the national language and is used in the education system and government administration. English is also widely spoken, especially in business and as a compulsory subject in schools.

Economy

Malaysia's economy is considered to be the third largest in Southeast Asia and is a significant global player in the supply of palm oil, rubber, and other commodities. It has also developed a strong manufacturing sector, particularly in electronics, automotive, and machinery. The country is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and is moving towards a more service-oriented economy, with sectors such as finance, Islamic banking, and tourism playing increasingly important roles.

Culture

Malaysian culture is highly diverse, with major influences from the Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous peoples. This diversity is reflected in Malaysia's vast array of cuisines, languages, and religious practices. Malaysia is known for its traditional art forms such as batik, silat (a form of martial arts), and its vibrant festivals, such as the Malaysian New Year or "Hari Raya" and Deepavali, the festival of lights.

Government and Politics

Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy; the system of government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system. The King, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is the head of state and is elected from among the nine Malay sultans every five years. The Prime Minister is the head of government and must be a member of the Parliament of Malaysia, which consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.