The South China Sea divides Malaysia’s territory into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia, which is located on the Malay Peninsula and is bordered to the north by Thailand and to the south by Singapore, and East Malaysia, which is located in the northern part of the island of Borneo and is bordered to the south by Indonesia and the north by Brunei.
The country did not exist as a cohesive state until 1963; its land, ruled by the United Kingdom from the 18th century until independence, was separated into colonies until that year. Its eastern half was divided into several kingdoms until 1946 when it was dissolved and reformed as the Malayan Union.
The country enjoyed an economic boom in the second half of the twentieth century, allowing it to develop swiftly. Malaysia was transformed into a newly industrialized country during the 1980s and 1990s, with growth averaging 8% from 1991 to 1997. 1920 As one of the three countries that govern the Malacca Strait, Malaysia’s foreign trade is critical to its economy. It surpassed the United States as the giant tin, rubber, and palm oil exporter. Industrial activity accounts for a significant portion of its economic activity. It also boasts a high level of flora and animal biodiversity, making it one of the seventeen megadiverse countries.
Malays make up the vast majority of the country’s population. Malay and Islam are the Federation’s official languages and religions, respectively. Malaysia is an ASEAN founding member and a member of other international organizations, such as the United Nations. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations as a former British colony.