Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country located on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. The country is known for its diverse culture, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant cities. Here are some key facts about Malaysia:

The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, which is a modern city with towering skyscrapers, bustling markets, and numerous cultural attractions.

The official language is Malay, but English is widely spoken, and many Malaysians speak Chinese, Tamil, and other languages.

Malaysia is a multicultural country, with a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures. This is reflected in the food, architecture, and festivals.

The country has a tropical climate, with temperatures averaging around 30°C (86°F) year-round. The rainy season is from November to February.

Malaysia has many natural attractions, including tropical rainforests, pristine beaches, and stunning islands. Some popular destinations include Langkawi, Penang, and Tioman Island.

The country is also known for its shopping, with numerous shopping malls and markets offering everything from designer clothes to local handicrafts.

Malaysia has a rich history and many cultural attractions, including the historic city of Malacca, the Batu Caves, and the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, and visitors should be aware of local customs and dress modestly when visiting mosques and other religious sites.

The currency in Malaysia is the ringgit (MYR), and credit cards are widely accepted.

The country has a well-developed transportation system, including trains, buses, and taxis. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is one of the largest airports in Southeast Asia and serves as a major hub for flights to other parts of the region.

Malaysia is a safe and welcoming country for tourists, but visitors should take common-sense precautions and be aware of their surroundings. Petty crime can be a problem in some areas, and travelers should avoid political demonstrations and public gatherings.

Telephone Code
60

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 999; Fire: 994; Police: 999

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

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

Currency (Code)
Ringgits (MYR)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
240 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G

Major Languages
Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note: Malaysia has 134 living languages

Major Religions
Muslim 61.3%, Buddhist 19.8%, Christian 9.2%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 1.3%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Kuala Lumpur (includes Petronas Towers, Bukit Bintang, National Museum); North Borneo Railway; Semenggoh Nature Reserve; Batu Caves; Kek Lok Si Temple; Malacca City; Manukan Island; Lenggong Valley; Sarawak Cultural Village

Major Sports
Soccer, badminton, tenpin bowling, field hockey, tennis

Cultural Practices
Nod or give a slight bow when greeting a women or an older person. Introduce high-ranking people and older people first.

Tipping Guidelines
Malaysia has a non-tipping culture. You are welcome to leave change in a tip jar, but you are not expected to tip.

Souvenirs
Hand-woven embroidered silk/cotton cloth, batik sarongs, pewter items; precious silver bowls, jewelry boxes, and betel nut sets; woven-bamboo and various fiber-woven baskets, bowls, and mats

Traditional Cuisine
Nasi Lemak — rice soaked in coconut cream overnight and cooked with pandan leaves, lemon grass, ginger, and other spices; usually served with a hard-boiled egg, fried anchovies, sambal paste, and roasted peanuts

Geography
Area
total: 329,847 sq km
land: 328,657 sq km
water: 1,190 sq km

Climate
tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons

Natural resources
tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite

People and Society
Population
34,219,975 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Bumiputera 62.5% (Malays and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6.2%, other 0.9%, non-citizens 9.8% (2019 est.)

Languages
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note - Malaysia has 134 living languages - 112 indigenous languages and 22 non-indigenous languages; in East Malaysia, there are several indigenous languages; the most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

Religions
Muslim (official) 61.3%, Buddhist 19.8%, Christian 9.2%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 1.3%, other 0.4%, none 0.8%, unspecified 1% (2010 est.)

Population growth rate
1.01% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Kuala Lumpur; note - nearby Putrajaya is referred to as a federal government administrative center but not the capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur

Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Southeast Asian economy; implementing key anticorruption policies; major electronics, oil, and chemicals exporter; trade sector employs over 40% of jobs; key economic equity initiative; high labor productivity

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$884.106 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$26,300 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
oil palm fruit, rice, poultry, eggs, vegetables, rubber, coconuts, bananas, pineapples, pork

Industries
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics and semiconductors, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum and natural gas production;Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum and natural gas production, logging

Exports
$256.659 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Singapore 13%, China 13%, United States 11%, Hong Kong 6%, Japan 6%, Thailand 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, natural gas, semiconductors, palm oil (2019)

Imports
$230.188 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 24%, Singapore 14%, Japan 6%, United States 6%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment, coal (2019)