FAST FACTS
Area: 329,750 sq km
Population: 20,097,000
Capital (population): Kuala Lumpur (938,000)
Government: Federal constitutional monarchy
Ethnic groups: Malay and other indigenous groups 62%
Chinese 30%
Indian 8%
Languages: Bahasa Malaysia (official)
Religions: Islam 53%
Buddhism 17%
Chinese folk religions 12%
Hindu 7%
Christianity 6%
Currency: Ringgit = 100 cents
GDP per capita: US$ 4,049

Malaysia is a federation of 13 states, spread across the Malay peninsula, and northern Borneo, separated by about 400 miles of the South China Sea. The federation was created out of the former British colonies in this region, which originally included the island of Singapore, in 1963.

Malaysia is unique in that the monarchical rule of the country rotates amongst the sultans of each state, this constitutional monarchy being a strong moral force in a country where the indigenous majority population is predominantly Muslim. Malaysia is also a democracy, and one of Asia's most democratic, and least corrupt, nations.

Malaysia has a strong economy, built originally on one of the world's largest rubber producing industries. This economy has diversified in recent years, to include palm oil production, tin production, timber, rice, tropical fruits, heavy and light industry, including being one of the world's major manufacturing centres for printed circuit boards and other high-tech products.

Malaysia has a 10 year plan in progress, and is aiming to achieve the status of a fully developed nation early in the next millennium. Its strong economy has helped Malaysia become one of the economic centres of Asia, a fact that is reflected in the development of many new office buildings in the centre of the capital Kuala Lumpur, including the tallest building in the world.

Outside the capita, Malaysia is preparing to build a brand new commercial urban centre, based around a high-tech manufacturing centre, tagged "Hyperjaya". The capital's airport will soon be replaced by a new one, and the road and rail infrastructure is being modernised at a furious pace.

The wealth that Malaysia is creating, coupled with the country's relative openness, is providing its population with a relatively very high standard of living. The high spending power is reflected in the sophistication of commerce, with supermarkets and convenience stores being found in most urban centres, including small towns. Car ownership is high, as is home ownership.

MALAYSIA

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