Malaysia ( or ) is a country that consists of thirteen states and three federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of . Article 1. Constitution of Malaysia.CIA. The World Fact Book. Malaysia. Retrieved December 9 2006. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government.

The population stands at over 25 million. The country is separated into two regions — Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo — by the South China Sea. Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. The country is located near the equator and experiences a tropical climate. Malaysia is headed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and politically led by a Prime Minister.Article 33. Constitution of Malaysia.Article 43. Constitution of Malaysia. The government is closely modeled after the Westminster parliamentary system.The Federation of International Trade Associations. General Information of Malaysia. Retrieved December 7 2007.

Malaysia as a unified state did not exist until 1963. Previously, a set of colonies were established by the United Kingdom from the late eighteenth century, and the western half of modern Malaysia was composed of several separate kingdoms. This group of colonies was known as British Malaya until its dissolution in 1946, when it was reorganized as the Federation of Malaya and later recognized as an independent nation in 1957.Time Magazine. A New Nation. September 9 1957. Singapore, Sarawak, British North Borneo and the Federation of Malaya joined to form Malaysia on 16 September 1963.Paragraph 22. Singapore. Road to Independence. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. Country Studies/Area Handbook Series. U.S. Department of the Army. Retrieved December 9 2006. The early years of the new union were marred by an armed conflict with Indonesia and the expulsion of Singapore.Time Magazine. The Art of Dispelling Anxiety. August.Paragraph 25. Singapore. Road to Independence. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. Country Studies/Area Handbook Series. U.S. Department of the Army. Retrieved December 9 2006. The Southeast Asian nation experienced an economic boom and underwent rapid development during the late 20th century. With a GDP per capita standing at USD14,400, it has, from time to time, been considered a newly industrialized country. As one of three countries that control the Strait of Malacca, international trade plays a large role in its economy. The Prime Minister's Office. The Security of the Straits of Malacca and its implications to the Southeast Asia regional security. Retrieved November 26 2007. At one time, it was the largest producer of tin, rubber and palm oil in the world.American University. Tin Mining in Malaysia. Retrieved November 14 2007. Malaysian Palm Oil Council. Malaysian Palm Oil. Retrieved November 14 2007.

Manufacturing has a large influence in the country's economy.Bank Negara. BNM National Summary Data Page. Retrieved November 8 2007

The Malays form the majority of the population. Some Malays are of Arab descent and there are sizable Chinese and Indian communities. Islam is the largest as well as the official religion of the federation.Article 3. Constitution of Malaysia. The Malay language is the official language. Malay was originally written in Jawi, based on Arabic script, but nowadays, the Roman alphabet (Rumi) is more often used.

Malaysia is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and participates in many international organizations such as the United Nations.Overview. Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Retrieved November 8 2007.List of Member States. United Nations. Retrieved November 8 2007 As a former British colony, it is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.Members. Commonwealth Secretariat. Retrieved November 8 2007. It is also a member of the Developing 8 Countries.Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey. Facts and Figures of the D-8. Retrieved December 12 2007.