Malaysia
Capital: Kuala Lumpur · South-Eastern Asia
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia.
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Small waterfall on Gunung Lambak, one of several along the stream that flows next to the main path up the mountain. This is a focus stack of 2 photographs, and a neutral…
Photo: Dominic Nelson, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Bantang River Recreational Forest, Bekok, Segamat, Johor, Malaysia
Photo: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Did you know?
The country has its origins in the Malay kingdoms, which, from the 18th century on, became subject to the British Empire, along with the British Straits Settlements protectorate. During World War II, British Malaya, along with other nearby British and American colonies, was occupied by the Empire of Japan. Following three years of occupation, Malaya was briefly unified as the Malayan Union in 1946 until 1948 when it was restructured as the Federation of Malaya. The country achieved independence on 31 August 1957.
Wikipedia: Malaysia – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0
Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Photo: Haakon S, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
The skulls of "The House of Skulls" at Monsopiad Cultural Village in Penampang (near Kota Kinabalu), Sabah, Malaysia. The village is named after the Kadazan head-hunter…
Photo: Dcubillas, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Botanical Garden, KL. View towards KL Sentral.
Photo: Renek78, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Etymology
The name Malaysia is a combination of the word Malays and the Latin-Greek suffix -ia/-ία, which can be translated as 'land of the Malays'. Similar-sounding variants have also appeared in accounts older than the 11th century, as toponyms for areas in Sumatra or referring to a larger region around the Strait of Malacca. The Sanskrit text Vayu Purana, thought to have been in existence since the first millennium CE, mentioned a land named 'Malayadvipa', which was identified by certain scholars as the modern Malay Peninsula.
Wikipedia: Malaysia – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0
Inside of the Colmar Tropicale from tower, looking back to the entrance, Berjaya Hills, Malaysia
Photo: Peter coxhead, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Tugu Negara, the Malaysian National Monument
Photo: Vzach, Public domain · source
History
Evidence of modern human habitation in Malaysia dates back 40,000 years. In the Malay Peninsula, the first inhabitants are thought to be Negritos. Areas of Malaysia participated in the Maritime Jade Road between 2000 BC to 1000 AD. Traders and settlers from India and China arrived as early as the first century AD, establishing trading ports and coastal towns in the second and third centuries. Their presence resulted in strong Indian and Chinese influences on the local cultures, and the people of the Malay Peninsula adopted the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Wikipedia: Malaysia – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0
Main Terminal Building and Tower at KLIA
Photo: Craig, Public domain · source
The Singapore-Johor causeway, spanning across the Johor Straits. It is one of two bridges which connect Singapore to Malaysia and Continental Asia.
Photo: Img by Calvin Teo, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
The Ke Lok Si Temple in Penang, Malaysia, brightly illuminated in the nights following Chinese New Year
Photo: Flying Pharmacist, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Government and politics
Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy and the only federal country in Southeast Asia. The system of government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British rule. The head of state is the King, whose official title is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The King is elected to a five-year term by and from among the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states. The other four states, which have titular Governors, do not participate in the selection.
Wikipedia: Malaysia – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: مانفی, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Handal Indah's JWF8589, a Yutong ZK6126HG, on route T30. Photo taken on 2024/3/8.
Photo: S5A-0043, Attribution · source
Pool area of the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang, Malaysia.
Photo: Cmglee, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Geography
Malaysia is the 66th largest country by total land area, with a total area of 330,803 km2 (127,724 sq mi). West Malaysia shares land borders with Thailand, while East Malaysia shares land borders with Indonesia and Brunei. Singapore is separated from the West by the Straits of Johor and is linked to it by a narrow causeway and a bridge. The country also shares maritime boundaries with Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Wikipedia: Malaysia – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0
traditionnal spinning tops, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
Photo: G.Mannaerts, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Entrance of Legoland Malaysia
Photo: milst1, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Economy
Malaysia is a relatively open state-oriented and newly industrialised market economy. It has the world's 34th-largest economy by nominal GDP and the 28th-largest by PPP. In 2017, the large service sector contributed to 53.6% of total GDP, the industrial sector 37.6%, and the small agricultural sector roughly 8.8%. Malaysia has a low official unemployment rate of 3.4% as of 2024. Its foreign exchange reserves are the world's 24th-largest. It has a labour force of about 15 million, which is the world's 34th-largest. Malaysia's large automotive industry ranks as the world's 22nd-largest by production.
Wikipedia: Malaysia – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0
The wau in this picture is made by the same wau-maker shown in another picture here, http://gulaley.blogspot.com/2009/07/sky-doctors.html However, the name of the…
Photo: Kerina yin at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
North-South Expressway towards Kuala Lumpur, Southern Route, Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia.
Photo: mailer_diablo, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Battle for Malacca between the VOC fleet and the Portuguese, 1606.
Photo: Anoniem / Anonymous (engraver / etcher), Public domain · source
Demographics
According to the Malaysian Department of Statistics, the country's population was 32,447,385 in 2020, making it the 42nd-most populated country. According to a 2012 estimate, the population is increasing by 1.54% per year. Malaysia has an average population density of 96 people per km2, ranking it 116th in the world for population density. People within the 15–64 age group constitute 70.3% of the total population; the 0–14 age group corresponds to 21.5%; while senior citizens aged 65 years or older make up 8.1%. In 1960, when the first official census was recorded in Malaysia, the population was 8.11 million. 90.1% of the population are Malaysian citizens.
Wikipedia: Malaysia – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia: Fuk Tek Kung Temple, one of the few taoism temples in Sabah. It was built in the early 1970's by the nearby Hokkien Association.
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Ayer Keroh Lake, Ayer Keroh, Malacca, Malaysia
Photo: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Kg. Salarom, Sapulut , Sabah : A carpenter is working at the frame of a newly built, traditional house in Kg Salarom
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Culture
Malaysia has a multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society. Substantial influence exists from Chinese and Indian cultures, dating back to when foreign trade began. Other cultural influences include the Persian, Arabic, and British cultures. Due to the structure of the government, coupled with the social contract theory, there has been minimal cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities. Some cultural disputes exist between Malaysia and neighbouring countries, notably Indonesia.
In 1971, the government created a "National Cultural Policy", defining Malaysian culture.
Wikipedia: Malaysia – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0
Melaka Literature Museum, Melaka City, Central Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia
Photo: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source