+60 is the dialing code for Malaysia.
Malaysia consists of two parts: the western part is on mainland Southeast Asia while the eastern part is part of the island of Borneo. The majority of the residents are ethnic Malays and Muslims, but the country holds many peoples and religions. Following the independence of the British colonial power in 1957, political stability and industrialization laid the foundation for a relatively high standard of living among Malaysians.
- Abbreviationfinder: Brief profiles of Malaysia, including geography, history, politics, economics as well as common acronyms about this country.
Geography and climate
Malaysia has a land area corresponding to just over two-thirds of Sweden. The country consists of an eastern and a western part that is separated by the South China Sea. Malaysia is located just north of the equator and has a tropical climate.
Western Malaysia encompasses eleven states on the southern Malacca peninsula. There is also the capital Kuala Lumpur (an administrative capital, Putrajaya, has been built south of Kuala Lumpur). The Malacca Strait west of the Malacca Peninsula has been one of the world’s busiest shipping routes since ancient times. At the far south, the narrow Johor Strait separates the Malacca Peninsula from Singapore, but across the strait is a kilometer-long bridge.
- Beautypically: General information about Malaysia, covering geography, climate, travel tips and popular sights.
Eastern Malaysia consists of the two states of Sabah and Sarawak. They are located on the northern part of Borneo, which is the world’s third largest island and is shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
The lone Kinabalu mountain in Sabah reaches over 4,000 meters in height, compared to just over 2,000 meters for the country’s other highest mountains. Mountain ridges extend from the north to the south across the Inland Peninsula. In all parts of Malaysia there are rivers, which are often navigable.
Country Facts
Geography
| Cultivated land | 23.2 % |
| Land area | 329847 km 2 |
Population and health
| Population development | 1.44 m |
| Urban population (Urbanization) | 74.7 % |
| Death rate | 5.03 per 1000 residents |
| Life expectancy: Women | 77.73 years |
| Life expectancy: Men | 71.97 years |
| Birth rate | 19.71 births per 1000 residents |
| HDI index | 0.779 |
| Population | 30513848 |
| Infant mortality | 13.27 deaths / 1000 births |
Population Graph Source: Countryaah.com
Energy
| Electricity, production | 126800 million kWh |
| Energy consumption per resident | 2799 kg. oil per resident |
| Natural gas, production | 64000 million cubic meters |
| Crude oil, production | 32 million tons |
Infrastructure
| Internet users | 40.3 per 100 residents |
| Mobile subscriptions | 149 per 100 residents |
| Passenger cars | 361 per 1000 residents |
Business and economics
| Unemployment | 2.7% of the workforce |
| GDP | 26300 per resident |
| Primary occupations | 13 % |
| Secondary profession | 36 % |
| Tertiary professions | 51 % |
Rainforest grows on the Malacca peninsula, mainly in the north and east, but the truly large forests are found on the sparsely populated Borneo. The wildlife is very rich. Some species, such as the nose monkey, are only found on Borneo. In addition to Borneo, the equally rare orangutan is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Malaysia’s tropical climate is characterized by the monsoon winds. From spring to October, the southwest monsoon blows. However, the Strait of Malacca lies in shelter for the northeast monsoon, which blows with full force towards the eastern Malacca peninsula as well as the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak from October to February – March.
In Malaysia, it rains during all seasons, often in cool, fast-moving showers. Most rain falls when the hot and humid monsoon winds blow.
FACTS – GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Surface
329 758 km2 (2018) 1
Time
Swedish +7 hours
Adjacent country (s)
Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore
Capital with number of residents
Kuala Lumpur 7,800,000
Other major cities
Johor Bahru 1,000,000, Ipoh 800,000, Kuching 600,000, Kota Kinabalu 540,000 (with suburbs, UN estimate 2019)
Highest mountain
Kinabalu (in Sabah; 4,101 m asl)
Important rivers
Pahang (Malacca Peninsula), Rajang (Sarawak), Kinabatangan (Sabah)
Average Precipitation / year
2 540 mm
Average / day
Kuala Lumpur about 27 °C (all year)
- of which Western Malaysia about 132000, Sarawak 124000 and Sabah 74000Sources
2013
October
Poor people should receive more support
In the 2014 budget, the government promises that low-income households will receive more financial assistance from the state. Nearly eight million Malaysians will receive part of the support during 2014, which is part of the efforts to make Malaysia a high-income country by 2020. Economists warn that the contributions will lead to higher inflation.
Suspects can be detained indefinitely
Parliament is voting for a law that gives police the right to detain suspects without detention indefinitely.
June
Fire smoke covers southern Johor
Malaysia announces disaster state in southern parts of Johor state affected by heavy smog with health-threatening air pollution following forest fires in Indonesia. Everything is closed in the coastal cities of Muar and Ledang and its residents are encouraged to stay indoors.
May
Opposition politicians are arrested
At the end of May, four opposition politicians, including one of the leaders of the People’s Justice Party (PKR), who are members of the People’s Front, are arrested. They are accused of being upset.
Demonstration against “stolen choice”
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim gathers thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of supporters for a demonstration against what he considers to be electoral fraud and against the “stolen election”. Police say the demonstration is illegal because the organizers have no permit.
The national front wins the election
May 5th
Government Alliance National Front wins in parliamentary elections, but with less margin than ever before. It gets 133 out of 222 seats, while the opposition People’s Front gets 89 seats. The public front protests against the election result and says it does not reflect the will of the people.
April
May parliamentary elections
Prime Minister Najib Razak, in accordance with the constitution, dissolves Parliament ahead of the elections to be held on May 5, 2013. The election campaign begins on April 20. The election is expected to be relatively even between the ruling National Front and the Opposition Popular Front, led by Anwar Ibrahim.
March
Security forces occupy occupied village
After three weeks of siege, security forces storm the coastal community of Borneo as a Philippine armed group or clan occupies (see February 2013). The storming is carried out with ground troops and support from the air. Some 30 people have been killed during the occupation, both soldiers and locals and clan members. After the storm, the occupants are scattered around the area. In the police pursuit of them, an additional 30 clan members are killed.
February
Armed group occupies coastal community
A Filipino armed group or clan of around 180 members invades and occupies a coastal community in the Lahad Datu district of Borneo. The clan claims to be descendants of the Sultan of Sulu who ruled parts of the southern Philippines and northern Borneo for several centuries. Malaysian security police wrap a ring around the bracket.