Malaysia
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Name: Malaysia History: The ancestors of today's Malay people came from China around 2000 BC. The Arabs, Portuguese and Dutch all ruled this area before British seized control in the early 1800's. After the Japanese occupation during World War two communist guerrilas launched a terrorist campaign against British. Then in 1957 Malaya became independent and in 1963 joined with the British colonies of Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore to form Malaysia. Singapore left the federation in 1965. Terrain: Malaysia is a green land with mountains hidden in driping rainforest. It has huge plantation of rubber, oil palm and sandy beaches. About 75% of the peninsula is mountains and thickly forested. In the south are swampy low lands along the coasts. Climate: Tropical. Rainfall varies from 100 inch in Peninsula to 150 inch in Sarawak and Sabah. Ethnic Group: Malays who are mainly Muslims. Others are Chinese, Buddhists, Tamil, Telugu and Punjabis. Religion: 47% - Malayas, 34% - of Chinese origin and 9% - of Indian origin. Coastline: Is low and swampy Location: It is a federation of 13 states in southern part of Malaya Peninsula and part of Borneo in South East Asia Area: 329,758 sq km Population: 25,347000 (2005 est) it is forty fifth in the world Capital: Kuala Lumpur Highest Point: Mount Kinabalu (4,094 m) Largest City: Kuala Lumpur Currency: Malaysian Dollar (ringit) Language: Bahasa Malaysia Life Expectancy: 65 years Adult literacy: 60% Government: Federal Constitutional Monarchy Executive Branch: Prime Minister has executive power with the king as Figure head. The king is the head of the state and is elected from among the State Sultans to a 5 year term. Malaysia is one of the two elective Monarchy in the world, the other one is Vatican City. Legislative Branch: Lesislative branch has the Parliament based on British Parliament Judiciary Branch: It has been established under the Constitution Flag: The Flag of Federation of Malaya became the Flag of Malaysia, with a few changes and was raised on September 16, 1963. Originally it had 11 red and white stripes and a yellow 11 point star and a crescent against a dark blue backdrop, afterwards 3 more stripes were added to it and the points of the star were also increased to 14. National Emblem: It is called Jata Negura and consists of a shield which is guarded by 2 tigers. On top a yellow crescent with a 14 poined star. Below the shield is the banner with National Motto written in both Malay and Jawi. Motto: Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu (Unity Is Strenth) National Anthem: Negaraku Internet TLD: .my Calling Code: +60 National Holidays: New Year's Day. Chinese New Year's Day. Awal Muharram (Maal Hilal). Prophet Muhammad's Birthday. Lobor Day. Wesak Day. Birthday of Paduka Baginda. National Day - Hari Merdeka on 31 August. Deepavali. Hari Raya Puasa (Eid - ul - Fitr). Christmas Day. Hari Raya Qurban (Eil - ul - Adha). Economy: Malaysia has a flourising economy based on export of rubber, palmoil and petrolium. 50% of the population practice agriculture, while 16% is in industries. It is rich in minerals like tin, iron ore and titanium ore and is the biggest producer of tin in the world. Main Exports: Palm oil, timber, rubber, tin, petrolium and electronic equipment. |