Malaysian

Malaysia
Flag
Anthem: Negaraku
Capital and largest city	Kuala Lumpur
Official languages	Malay
Government	Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Yang di-Pertuan Agong	Abdullah of Pahang
• Prime Minister	Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Area
• Total	330,803 km2 (127,724 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	32,365,999
Currency	Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:MY |MY ]]

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). Malaysia shares land borders with Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei, and maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The country is a federal constitutional monarchy officially known as the Federation of Malaysia.

History

The area now known as Malaysia has a rich history dating back to the Malay kingdoms present in the area in the first millennium AD. The Malacca Sultanate became a primary trading port in the region in the 15th century. Following this period, the region came under the influence of Portuguese, Dutch, and British control. The territories of what is now Malaysia were first unified as the Malayan Union in 1946. Malaya was restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and achieved independence on August 31, 1957. In 1963, the federation was expanded with the inclusion of Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak under the name Malaysia, although Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965.

Geography

Malaysia is the 66th largest country by total land area, with a land area of 330,803 square kilometers (127,720 sq mi). It has a biodiverse range of flora and fauna, and its coastline is lined with extensive mangrove forests. The country's biodiversity is categorized as megadiverse, with a high number of species and high levels of endemism.

Economy

Malaysia has a newly industrialised market economy, which is relatively open and state-oriented. The GDP of Malaysia ranks third largest in Southeast Asia and 33rd largest in the world. Major industries include electronics, automotive, construction, and palm oil processing. The country is also one of the world's largest producers of palm oil.

Culture

Malaysia is a multicultural and multiconfessional country, the culture of which is characterized by the various ethnic groups that exist in the country: Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous peoples. This diversity influences many aspects of life in Malaysia, from religion and festivals to cuisine and arts. The official religion is Islam, and the cultural practices and festivals of Malaysia include the likes of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Malaysia had a population of approximately 32 million people. The population is diverse, consisting of many ethnic groups including Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous peoples. The official language is Malay, with English also recognized as a second language.

Government and Politics

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy. The King, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country operates under a parliamentary system and its legal system is based on common law.

See also

• List of countries by GDP (nominal)
• List of countries by population
• List of countries by total area