Facts about Malaysia

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city as well as the largest city in the country. Malaysian is the country’s national language, and the Ringgit is the country’s national currency. Similarly, “Negaraku” is the country’s national anthem, and the Rajang river is the country’s Principle River. Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis is the national flower, and the Borneo/Malacca teak, Merbau is the national tree of Malaysia. Further, the Rhino hornbill is the country’s national bird, and the Malayan tiger is the national animal of Malaysia. Additionally, Sepak takraw is the country’s national sport, and Papaya is the national fruit. With these interesting facts about Malaysia, let’s learn more about the history, culture, religion, people, industries, tourism, tradition, and many more.

Quick Facts about Malaysia

 
The official name of the country: The Federation of Malaysia
Area: 330,803 km2
Population(2022): 33.10 million
Population density: 99 per kilometers Square
GDP (PPP)(2019): $1,055.25 Billion
GDP Per Capita (nominal): $12,295
Continent: Asia
Capital: Kuala Lumpur (Ceremonial, legislative and Judicial capital), and Putrajaya (administrative capital)
Spoken Language: Malaysian, English, Chinese, Iban, Sarawak, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese, Fuzhou, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Thai, Malaccan Creoles, and Chavacano are some highly spoken languages in the country. Around 137 languages are spoken in the country.
Official Languages: Malaysian
Largest by area: 67th largest country
Religion: Islam: 61.3%, Buddhism: 19.8%, Christianity: 9.2%, Hinduism: 6.3%, Chinese flok: 3.4%, Unknown: 0.7%, Other: 0.5%.
Government: Federal parliamentary constitutional elective monarchy
Currency: Ringgit (RM) (MYR)
Calling Code: +60
Time Zone: UTC +8 (MST)

15 Interesting Facts about Malaysia

1. Bordering countries of Malaysia

The country shares its land borders with three countries; Thailand in West Malaysia, and Indonesia and Brunei in East Malaysia.
Further, it also shares maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
The country is separated by the South China Sea into two regions; Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) and Borneo (The third largest island in the world) East Malaysia.

2. One of the oldest rainforests on earth

Malaysia's Taman Negara (national park) is one of the oldest rainforests on earth at 130,000 million years. It is older than the tropical rainforests of the Amazon and the Congo Basins.
It is home to more than 10,000 species of plants, 1,000 types of butterflies, 140 types of animals, 350 bird species, 100 kinds of snakes, and 150,000 kinds of insects.

3. The third-largest island in the world

Borneo is the third-largest island in the world, after Greenland and New Guinea. Three countries share the island; The independent Sultanate of Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

4. Territory both on the mainland and on the island

Malaysia is the only country that includes territory both on the mainland of southeast Asia and on the islands that stretch between the Asian continental mass and Oceania.

5. Some buildings in Malaysia without a fourth floor

Some buildings in Malaysia without a fourth floor, have a "3A" instead of 4. It is because of the sound 4 in Chinese "si" which means Death. In the Malaysian language, the sound of 4 is similar to the sound of "si" which means Death.

6. Home of the world's tallest tropical tree

Malaysia Boasts is the home of the world's tallest tropical tree; The Tualang which has a base diameter of over 10 feet (3 meters) and reaches a height of around 262 feet (80 meters).

7. One of the indigenous fruits

The Pomelo (Citrus maxima) is one of the indigenous fruits found in Malaysia and it is the largest citrus fruit in the world. It can reach the size of a small football and weighs from 1 to 3 kilograms.

8. Home to more than 1,000 plant species of plants that have medicinal properties

Malaysia is reported to have more than 1,000 plant species of plants that have medicinal properties, that are used for treating ailments from headaches to malaria and cholera.
The Bintangor trees are belive to have properties that could help to cure HIV Virus which causes AIDS.

9. Oldest English medium school in Southeast Asia

Penang Free School is the first and oldest English medium school in Southeast Asia. Alumni are known as "old frees" and include famous personalities including; Tunku Abdul Rehman Putra (the first prime minister of Malaysia), and Tan Sri p. Ramlee.

10. Malaysia's currency 

Malaysia's currency is called the Ringgit which means "Jagged" in Malay and is originally referred to as the separated edges of Spanish silver dollars, which widely circulated in the region.

11. The war against communism was won

Malaysia is the only place in the world where the war against communism was won. The 12-years guerrilla warfare conducted by communist forces was finally put down in 1960. This period was known as the Malayan Emergency.

12. The largest single leaf in the world

Alocasia Macrorrhiza the largest single leaf in the world that was originated in the Malaysian State of Sabah. It is 9.9 feet long and 6.3 feet wide.

13. The world's tallest buildings until 2004

Petronas Towers were the world's tallest buildings until 2004. They are still the world's tallest twin buildings joined by a sky bridge on the 41st and 42nd floors.

14. The country has undergone many name changes

Before the name Malaysia, the country was considered Langkasuka which was the name of one of the ancient kingdoms of the Malay Peninsula. The country has undergone many name changes from British Malaya to the Malayan Union and then the Federation of Malaya.
The country united with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore and become a country name Malaysia on 16 September 1963. However, Singapore separated from a new nation two years later.

15. The national dish of Malaysia

Nasi Lemak is the national dish of Malaysia. It is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk, often served wrapped in a banana leaf, and usually eaten for breakfast.
These are some interesting facts about Malaysia.

Malaysia Facts

• Malaysia is the world's second-largest producer of refined tin.
• The country has around 65,877 km of highway. This is more than the earth's circumference of 40,075 km.
• Bario in Sarawak's Kelabit Highlands is the most isolated settlement in Malaysia. There are no roads available in this remote corner and everything has to be transported by airplane.
• Putrajaya in Malaysia is the biggest roundabout in the world with a diameter of 2.2 miles.
• Malaysia produces the most expensive and best quality crude oil in the world.
• Malaysia has nine distinct Royal Families or hereditary state rulers. This is the highest number in the world.
• Penang Second Bridge is the longest bridge in Southeast Asia. The full length of the bridge is approx 15 miles.
• There are one of the largest population of deadly king cobras in Malaysia. They are the world's longest denotation snake with lengths up to 5.7 meters.
• Petronas is the only Malaysian company in the Fortune Global 500. It is one of the most profitable companies in the world. It accounted for about a third of the Malaysian government's estimated $55 billion revenue in 2011.
• Malaysia's shopping malls are ranked in the top 20 largest shopping malls in the world. They are Utama shopping center, Mid Valley Megamall, Berjaya time square, and Sunway Pyramid.
• Malaysia is one of the megadiverse countries. It has also ranked 12 in the world on the megadiverse countries list.

These are some Malaysia Facts.

Some more interesting facts about Malaysia

• Sarawak Chamber of Malaysia is the largest natural underground cave chamber in the world.
• The 206 kilometer Clearwater cave is the longest cave system in Southeast Asia and the 8th longest cave system in the world.
• Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Malaysia measuring 4095 meters above sea level. It is the 10th high peak in Southeast Asia.
• Low's Gully of Malaysia is one of the most dangerous and inhospitable places on earth. This place is restricted for visit.
• Malaysia's internet is considered one of the slowest internet and most expensive in the world.
• Malaysia has a great healthcare system and it is the hub for healthcare.
• Mcdonald's has different products in Malaysia.
• The Malaysian government legalizes medical Marijuana.
• The main airport of Malaysia has a small jungle in it, showing that the country is full of biodiversity.
• Malaysia doesn't have set elections. In Malaysia, the prime minister can decide when elections are held because he/she has the power to dissolve the parliament and have an early election.
• Durian fruit is forbidden in some hotels in Malaysia.
• Every 20 days there's a public holiday in Malaysia.
• Malaysia has 13 states and 3 federal territories.
• Caning is a common punishment in Malaysia. Caning is used as a form of legal corporal punishment in Malaysia.

These are some interesting facts about Malaysia.

In Conclusion

In this article, we discussed some interesting facts about Malaysia. After reading this article, you might gain some knowledge about Malaysia. If you have still queries and want to learn more about the country, then please comment to us. Further, if you already visited this beautiful country, and want to add more interesting facts to this article that are not included in the article above, please comment to us. Also, share your take on this article.
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