Malaysia

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. It has 13 states and three federal territories. The country is split into two parts by the South China Sea. These parts are Peninsular Malaysia on the Indochinese Peninsula and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Malaysia shares borders with Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and largest city. Putrajaya is the administrative center. Malaysia has over 34 million people.

Malaysia has a rich history. It was part of the British Empire and was occupied by Japan during World War II. Malaysia became independent in 1957. Later, it united with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore in 1963. Singapore left in 1965 to become independent.

The country is tropical and full of different plants and animals. Malaysia has many different kinds of people. Malays make up about half the population. There are also many Chinese, Indians, and indigenous groups. The official language is Malaysian Malay. English is widely spoken as a second language.

Islam is the official religion, but people can follow other religions too. Malaysia’s government uses a Westminster parliamentary system. It has an elected monarch as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The economy focuses on services and manufacturing. Malaysia is a member of many international groups, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Etymology

The name Malaysia combines the word Malays with the ending -ia, meaning "land of the Malays." Old writings, like the Vayu Purana, mentioned a place called 'Malayadvipa,' thought to be the Malay Peninsula.

Later, a French navigator suggested the name Malaysia for the islands of Southeast Asia. In 1963, when several areas joined to form a new country, they chose the name Malaysia. Some think the "si" in Malaysia stood for the new states that joined.

History

Main article: History of Malaysia

People have lived in what we now call Malaysia for a very long time, at least 40,000 years. Early traders from India and China arrived around the first century AD. They brought new religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, and new ideas.

Later, many different groups ruled parts of Malaysia. The Malacca Sultanate became an important trading center in the 1400s. In the 1500s, European powers like Portugal and the British Empire took control. By the 1900s, Britain controlled most of the area.

After World War II, Malaysia moved toward independence. In 1957, Malaya became independent from Britain. In 1963, Malaysia was formed by joining Malaya with Sabah, Sarawak, and for a short time, Singapore. The country has seen many changes since then.

Government and politics

Main articles: Politics of Malaysia and Government of Malaysia

Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy and the only federal country in Southeast Asia. The government works like the Westminster system, which came from British rule. The head of state is the King, called the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The King is chosen for five years by the nine rulers of the Malay states.

Law-making power is shared between federal and state legislatures. The federal parliament has two parts: the lower house, called the House of Representatives, and the upper house, called the Senate. Elections for parliament happen at least every five years.

Executive power is with the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. The prime minister must be a member of the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is the leader of the cabinet and the government.

Malaysia's legal system is based on common law. The highest court is the Federal Court, then the Court of Appeal, and two high courts, one for Peninsular Malaysia and one for East Malaysia.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: States and federal territories of Malaysia and Local government in Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and three federal territories. Eleven states and two federal territories are in Peninsular Malaysia. The other two states and one federal territory are in East Malaysia.

The country has three levels of government: federal, state, and local. Each state has a State Legislative Assembly. Members are elected from areas called constituencies. State governments are led by Chief Ministers.

States

A list of 13 states and their capitals (in parentheses):

1. Johor (Johor Bahru)
2. Kedah (Alor Setar)
3. Kelantan (Kota Bharu)
4. Malacca (Malacca City)
5. Negeri Sembilan (Seremban)
6. Pahang (Kuantan)
7. Penang (George Town)
8. Perak (Ipoh)
9. Perlis (Kangar)
10. Selangor (Shah Alam)
11. Sabah (Kota Kinabalu)
12. Sarawak (Kuching)
13. Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu)

Federal territories

1. Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
2. Federal Territory of Labuan (Victoria)
3. Federal Territory of Putrajaya

Geography

Main article: Geography of Malaysia

Malaysia is the 66th largest country by total land area. It covers 330,803 km². The country has two main parts separated by the South China Sea: West Malaysia on the Asian mainland and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo.

West Malaysia shares land borders with Thailand. East Malaysia shares land borders with Indonesia and Brunei. The country also has maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Both parts of Malaysia have coastal plains that rise into hills and mountains. West Malaysia is divided by the Titiwangsa Mountains, which run down the center of the peninsula. East Malaysia includes the Crocker Range and Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia. The country has many islands and experiences equatorial weather with regular monsoons.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Malaysia

Malaysia has a strong and growing economy. It is one of the larger economies in the world. The country’s economy is built on three main parts: services like banking and tourism, industry such as making cars and electronics, and a smaller part from farming and natural resources like oil and palm oil.

Malaysia is a popular place for visitors. The country has good roads, airports, and ports. It has many technology parks and a strong telephone and internet network, especially in cities. Most people in Malaysia have clean water.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Malaysia

Malaysia has about 32 million people. It is the 42nd-most populated country in the world. Most people live in Peninsular Malaysia, and many live in cities. The country has many different ethnic groups. About 70% are Malays and other native groups, while about 23% are Malaysian Chinese and 7% are Malaysian Indian.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Malaysia

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, and about 64% of people follow it. Other major religions include Buddhism (19%), Christianity (9%), and Hinduism (6%). There are also smaller groups that follow Confucianism, Taoism, and other Chinese traditions.

Languages

Main article: Languages of Malaysia

The official language of Malaysia is Malaysian Malay. English is also widely spoken, especially in business. Malaysia has many languages, including indigenous tribal languages, Chinese dialects like Mandarin and Hokkien, and Tamil, which is mainly spoken by the Indian community.

Health

Main articles: Health in Malaysia and Healthcare in Malaysia

Malaysia has a good healthcare system with both public and private options. The government provides healthcare through public hospitals and clinics. Life expectancy is around 76 years. Common health issues include heart disease, pneumonia, and traffic accidents.

Education

Main article: Education in Malaysia

Children in Malaysia usually attend kindergarten before starting six years of primary school. Primary schools can teach in either Malay or in Chinese or Tamil. After primary school, students can continue with five years of secondary education. At the end of secondary school, students take an important exam. Some students may also choose to attend special colleges that prepare them for university.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Malaysia

Malaysia has a rich and varied culture from its many different ethnic groups. Influences from Chinese, Indian cultures, Persian, Arabic, and British cultures have shaped its traditions. Each group keeps its own traditions alive.

Traditional Malaysian art includes carving, weaving, and silversmithing. Common artworks are ornamental kris, beetle nut sets, and fabrics like batik and songket. Music in Malaysia often uses drums and is played for storytelling and celebrations. Each ethnic group has its own performing arts.

Malaysia's cuisine is diverse, with dishes from Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other influences. Rice is a staple food, and chili is commonly used. The country celebrates many holidays and festivals. Major national holidays include Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) and Malaysia Day. Other celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Muslim holidays are enjoyed by all through a tradition called "open house."

Popular sports in Malaysia include association football, badminton, and field hockey. Badminton is especially loved, and Malaysia has been strong in international tournaments. The country also enjoys sports like squash, martial arts, and sailing. Malaysia has taken part in the Olympic Games since 1956 and has hosted major international sporting events.