About Malaysia

Official Name: Malaysia

Capital: Kuala Lumpur (also the nation's largest city)

Location: Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and is comprised of two geographical regions. Western Malaysia (or Peninsular Malaysia) borders Thailand to the north and Singapore to the south. East Malaysia, located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea, borders Indonesia to the south and east and Brunei to the north. Favorably located for trade, Malaysia's eastern coast lines the Strait of Malacca, the busiest trade route in Southeast Asia.

Size: 329, 750 square km

Climate and Topography: Malaysia is situated near the equator and has a tropical climate. Weather is generally warm and humid, particularly during the monsoon season that lasts from October to February. Malaysia can often be dangerous for flooding, landslides, and forest fires as well as the threat of hurricanes and tsunamis. While the land is mostly flat near the beaches and coasts, the terrain arches to mountainous levels in the mainland, including Mount Kinabalu in Eastern Malaysia, which, at 4,101 meters, is the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia.

Population: 2006 estimates exceed 24 million people

Life Expectancy at Birth: over 72 years of age

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS: 0.4%

Major Illnesses: Due to Malaysia's climate, the chance of contracting disease can be high. Diseases to be wary of include bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, as well as dengue fever and malaria. As with any country in Southeast Asia, be sure to take necessary precautions for immunization before travel or relocation, and be careful about skin exposure and consumption while in the country.

Ethnic Groups: Roughly 50% ethnic Malay, 23% Chinese, 11% indigenous, 7% Indian and 8% other races.

Languages: The official language is Bahasa Malaysia. Also spoken are English, many Chinese dialects—including Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow—Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, and Thai. In East Malaysia, several indigenous languages are spoken.

Religion: The official religion of Malaysia is Islam. 60% of the population are practicing Muslims. Approximately 19% are Buddhist, 9% are Christian, and 6% are Hindu.

Government: The government of Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy. Malaysia has been governed by the same political party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), since the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957. Over time, the UMNO united with other political entities in order to maintain its power. By allying with like-minded parties, the UMNO has remained the dominant force in modern Malaysian politics. This series of coalitions is known as the “Barisan Nasional;” in English, the “National Front.” Malaysia's chief of state is known as the Paramount Ruler, King, or Sultan. This figure also serves as the religious head of Malaysia's Muslim majority. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is chosen from among the House of Representatives. The Paramount Ruler is chosen by the hereditary rulers that represent nine of Malaysia's thirteen states. The legislative branch is comprised of a Senate and House of Representatives. The judicial branch is fashioned after English common law, a remnant of British colonial rule.

Military: Military service is not obligatory and the eligible age is 18 years.

Economy: Malaysia is characterized as a “newly-industrialized” country. Having rapidly developed since its independence from Britain, Malaysia has emerged as a strong exporter of raw materials and reliable producer of goods, particularly electronics. Still in the process of rebounding from the economic slump that hit Asia earlier this decade, Malaysia's economy is growing strong in the face of a number of deterrents. Many economic indicators point long-term growth in Malaysia's economy. Most notable are that Malaysia's currency, the ringgit, has appreciated since being unpegged from the US Dollar two years ago. Furthermore, Malaysia remains a popular location for foreign investment and the government is instituting legislative measures to further growth and expansion of industry.

GDP: Malaysia's GDP is US$313.8 Billion, with a per capita purchasing power parity of US$12,900.

For more information about Malaysia, or to receive a free comprehensive international health insurance quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.

For more information about Malaysia expat insurance, the international health insurance plans that we can offer there, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.

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