Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia is a vibrant and diverse country located in Southeast Asia. It is composed of two distinct regions: Peninsular Malaysia, also known as West Malaysia, situated on the Indochinese Peninsula, and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo.
Geography
Peninsular Malaysia shares its land and maritime borders with several countries. To the north, it is bordered by Thailand, and it shares maritime boundaries with Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. East Malaysia, on the other hand, shares land borders with Brunei and Indonesia, while also having maritime borders with the Philippines and Vietnam.
History
During World War II, British Malaya was occupied by the Empire of Japan, along with other British and American colonies in the region. The post-war period saw the formation of the Malayan Union in 1946, which was restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948. Malaysia as a nation was established in 1963, when the Federation of Malaya united with Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah to form the new nation.
Demographics
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multicultural country, which significantly influences its politics. The population is approximately 34.1 million as of 2024. Around half of the population is ethnically Malay, with significant minorities of Chinese, Indians, and indigenous peoples.
Government
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong serving as the ceremonial King of Malaysia. The country practices a parliamentary democracy.
Economy
Malaysia possesses an upper-middle-income economy that is highly industrialized and advanced. It ranks as the 36th largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP. The country is a major exporter of electronics, petroleum, and palm oil.
Biodiversity
Boasting a tropical climate, Malaysia is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world, housing numerous endemic species. Its rich biodiversity is preserved in multiple national parks and protected areas.
Transportation and Infrastructure
The country is well-connected with a robust transportation network. Malaysia Airlines is the national flag carrier, headquartered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The airline serves numerous international and domestic routes.
Notable Incidents
One significant event involving Malaysia was the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014, an international passenger flight that went missing while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.