The Federation of Malaysia comprises of Peninsular Malaysia (known as West Malaysia ) and the states of Sabah and Sarawak (known as East Malaysia ) on the Island of Borneo.

West Malaysia is highly developed and comprises of 11 states and two Federal Territories. Those states locating on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia from North to South are Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor whereas those on the East Coast from North to South are Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. Both Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are located in the State of Selangor.

East Malaysia is located on the Northern portion of Island of Borneo. It comprises of Sabah and Sarawak with the country of Brunei sandwiching in between the two states and Kalimantan of Indonesia as their southern neighbour. The Federal Territory Labuan is located off the west coast of the Sabah state.

Located between 1 to 7 degrees north of the Equator, and 100 to 119 degrees East, Peninsular Malaysia is seperated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea with an area of 531.1 Square Kilometers. In the north of Peninsular Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore.

329,758 square Km

24 millions

Kuala Lumpur

Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups make up the rest.

Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialets.

Islam is the official religion, but all other religion are practised freely.

Parlimentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system. The head of state is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.

Tropical climate with warm and humid weather all year round. Temperatures range from 21 degree Celcius to 32 degrees Celcius. Annual rainfall varies from 2000mm to 2500mm.

There is a strong interlink between the country's multi-racial and multicultural make-up with its history. Besides the Malays and the native groups, immigrants from China, India, Indonesia and other parts of the world have contributed to the multiracial composition of its population. Its interesting cultural diversity can be largely attributed to the country's long and on-going interaction with the outside world and colonial rule by the Portuguese, Dutch and the Bristish. Consequently, the evolution of the country into a cultural melting pot is evident in the unique blend of religions, social-cultural activities & traditions, dressing, languages and food.
The country achieved independence on August 31, 1957 as the federation of Malaysia and subsequently with the entry of Sabah and Sarawak in 1963, Malaysia was formed.