Malaysia

Malaysia is a sovereign nation located in Southeast Asia.

It is a federal constitutional monarchy made of 13 states and three federal territories. The country is physically split into two distinct regions by the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia sits on the Indochinese Peninsula. East Malaysia is located on the northern part of the island of Borneo.

Peninsular Malaysia shares land borders with Thailand. It also has maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. East Malaysia shares land borders with Brunei and Indonesia. It also shares maritime borders with the Philippines and Vietnam.

The geography of Malaysia is tropical and incredibly diverse. It is recognized as one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world. This means it holds a massive variety of plant and animal life. Many species found here are endemic, meaning they live nowhere else on Earth.

You might find the Rafflesia, which is the largest flower in the world. The country is also home to animals like the Malayan tiger.

High mountains like Mount Kinabalu also define parts of the landscape.

Malaysia's history stretches back tens of thousands of years. Evidence shows human habitation dating back 40,000 years.

Early inhabitants of the peninsula are thought to be Negritos. As centuries passed, traders from India and China arrived. They established coastal towns and brought Hinduism and Buddhism to the region. By the 15th century, the Malacca Sultanate became a major commercial power. This sultanate played a key role in spreading Islam throughout the Malay Archipelago. Following this, European powers began to compete for control. The Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511, and the Dutch took it in 1641.

The British Empire later established a strong presence through various treaties and colonies.

The path to modern Malaysia involved several political shifts. During World War II, the Empire of Japan occupied the region for three years. After the war, the area was briefly organized as the Malayan Union in 1946. This was restructured into the Federation of Malaya in 1948. Malaya finally achieved independence on 31 August 1957. On 16 September 1963, the Federation of Malaya joined with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore. This union created the nation we know as Malaysia. However, Singapore separated from the federation in August 1965 to become an independent country.

The government of Malaysia follows a Westminster parliamentary system. It is a constitutional monarchy, which means the monarch's powers are defined by a constitution. The head of state is an elected monarch. This ruler is chosen from among nine state rulers every five years.

The head of government is the prime minister. The country operates with two different capital cities. Kuala Lumpur serves as the national capital and the largest city. It is also the seat of the legislative branch. Putrajaya serves as the federal administrative capital.

This city houses the executive and judicial branches of the government.

Malaysia is a multiethnic and multicultural society. This diversity significantly influences the nation's politics and culture. About half of the population is ethnically Malay. There are also significant minorities of Chinese, Indian, and indigenous peoples.

The official language is Malaysian Malay, which is a standard form of the Malay language. English is also widely used as an active second language. While Islam is the official religion, the constitution protects the freedom of religion for non-Muslims. This religious diversity is reflected in the many different places of worship across the country.

The economy of Malaysia has undergone a major transformation. In the past, the nation relied heavily on agriculture and primary commodities. Today, the economy is driven by the manufacturing and services sectors.

Malaysia is considered a newly industrialised economy. It is relatively open and state-oriented. The country is also very active in international diplomacy. It is a founding member of ASEAN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It also participates in the East Asia Summit and the Commonwealth of Nations.