MALAYSIA

Malaysia is a federation of 13 states in Southeast Asia. The name "Malaysia" was adopted in 1963 when the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed a federation.

The Malaysian economy grew at 7.1% (real GDP) in 2004 but slowed to 5% in 2005 due to slowing regional and local growth, as well as the impact of high energy costs. The better than expected expansion in 2004 was fueled primarily by the continuing strength of the manufacturing sector, particularly the electronics and chemical industries. The strength of the global electronics sector continued to boost Malaysian exports to the U.S., Malaysia’s principal trade and investment partner. The government has taken measures to reduce its deficit and 2006 growth is projected at 5.5%, although fears of rising inflation persist.

Location

Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam.

Geography

Strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea.

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

Population

24,385,858

Climate

Tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons.

Language

Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow)
Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai

Monetary Unit

Ringgit

Largest Cities

Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kuching, Kuala Terengganu,
Kuantan, Kota Bahru, Seremban, Georgetown, Kota Kinabalu

Principal rivers

Rajang, Kinabatangan

Places to Visit

Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kuching, Kuala Terengganu

Air Ports

Sultan Abdul Halim, Kota Kinabalu, Setar Halim, Bakalalan, Bario, Belaga,
Bintulu, Butterworth, Genting Hlpt, Ipoh, Johor Bahru Sultan Ism