Dialing code +60
ISO 2 code MY
ISO 3 code MYS
Capital Kuala Lumpur
Main Language None
Currency Ringgit (MYR)
GDP $386.6 billion 29th
Population 28,274,729 43rd

Geography

Continent Asia
Location Southeastern Asia peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo bordering Indonesia Brunei and the South China Sea south of Vietnam
Land 329,750 km2 66th
Terrain Coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Climate Tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Natural Hazards Coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Note: Strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea

Neighbouring Countries

Brunei Indonesia Thailand

History

During the late 18th and 19th centuries Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948 the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by a Communist insurgency Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia Philippine claims to Sabah and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003) Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing services and tourism.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 73.29 years 96th
Median Age 24.9 years 121st
Birth Rate 22.24 births/1,000 population 77th
Death Rate 5.02 births/1,000 population 175th
Sex Ratio 0.79 male(s)/female 93rd
Literacy 88.7% 122nd
Population

28.3 million

Transportation

Roadways 98721 km 41st
Railways 1849 km 74th
Airports 116 50th
Waterways 7200 km 19th
Heliports 2 43rd
Airports paved 5 27th

Economy

Currency Ringgit (MYR)
GDP $386.6 billion 29th
GDP per capita (PPP) $15300 67th