Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia, is a federal constitutional monarchy consisting of thirteen states and three federal territories, covered extensively by forest, and with only 5% of arable land. Setting the best economic records, the country today houses many brands like Intel Pentium chips and Brooks Brother’s, ranks third largest in Southeast Asia because of its newly industrialized market economy and is the 43rd most populous country in the world, with population growth rate being 1.542%.

Learn more about the country with the below interesting fact sheet:

1. Malaysia became independent from the United Kingdom in 1957. However, it started acting like an independent territory later in 1963, when it was named ‘Malaysia’.
2. Before the name Malaysia, the country was called ‘Langkasuka’, the name of one of the prehistoric kingdoms of the Malay Peninsula.
3. However, the National Day is still celebrated on August 31, 1957, the day they got their independence from the British colonial rule. It’s officially called ‘Hari Merdeka’.
4. Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya, announced Malaya’s Independence date at Padang Pahlawan in Bandar Hilir, Malacca, on Feb 20, 1956.
5. The Malaysian flag, named Jalur Gemilang (meaning ‘Stripes of Glory’), was designed by Mohamed Hamzah and was adopted officially on September 16, 1963.
6. The currency of Malaysia is named Ringgit, meaning “jagged” in Malay, came from the jagged edges of Spanish silver dollars that was earlier used as currency.
7. Malaysians are divided in four major groups: Chinese, Malays, Indians or “Dan Lain Lain” (others).
8. The Penang Bridge is the second-longest bridge in Malaysia and the fifth-longest in Southeast Asia.
9. Rafflesia, a type of parasitic plants, is the largest flower in the world. It is also the official flower of the Sabah state in Malaysia.
10. THE largest undivided leaf in the world is also found in Sabah, named ‘Alocasia macrorrhiza’. It measures 3.02 metres long and 1.92 metres wide.
11. The Bintagor trees, exclusively found in Sarawak, is alleged to contain properties that could help fight the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
12. The king cobra, world’s longest poisonous snake, is found in maximum number here.
13. As per the constitution, Islam is the state religion. However, there is freedom for non-Muslims as well. It’s called the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural hub, for example, there are approximately 60 sub-ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak.
14. Post independence, Malaysia has set records for being one of the best countries in Asia, with GDP growing at an average of 6.5% per annum for 50 consecutive years.
15. Malaysia has an interesting history. The oldest remains of the modern man (Southeast Asia) were also found here in a cave in Borneo, the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia.
16. The Sarawak Chamber in Gunung Mulu National Park is the largest underground cave chamber in the world. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
17. The first cinema screening in Malaysia happened in 1933. It was named ‘Laila Majnum’, based on a Sanskrit play.
18. Kelantan holds a record for surviving the biggest number of flood evacuees in 1982. The number was approximately 33,000.
19. Tan Sri Dr Jegathesan Manikavasagam was the first to win a gold medal at the Asian Games (1962) in Jakarta. He was fondly called the ‘Flying Doctor’ and in his days, was regarded as the fastest man in Asia.
20. The largest city is Kuala Lumpur, which is also the capital, followed by Klang and Johor Bahru. The Kuala Lumpur Tower, 421 metres high, is the 4^th tallest tower in the world and tallest in Southeast Asia.