Official Name: Malaysia

Area: Asia

Size: 329,847 km²

Coastline: 4,675 km

Independence: from the UK August 31, 1957 

Form of Govt.: Federal constitutional monarchy

Head of Govt.: Prime Minister

Capital: Kuala Lumpur

Largest City: Kuala Lumpur

Demographics (2005): 26,909,000.   82 /km²

GDP per Capita (2005): $ 12,700

Languages: Malay

Geography: East Malaysia occupies the northern section of Borneo Island. East and West Malaysia are separated by about 640 km. Malaysia's forests include an enormous variety of animal life. Longest rivers Eastern Malaysia: Rajang in Sarawak and Kinabatangan in Sabah. Longest rivers in Peninsular Malaysia: Pahang, Kelantan, and Perak. All navigable for part of their courses. Lake Kenyir (Taman Negara National Park 4.300 km²) is a popular tourist destination. Lake Bera (West Malaysia) is largest natural lake. The world's largest flower, the giant rafflesia (weighing up to 7 kg and measuring up to 91 cm), grows in East Malaysia.

Climate: Malaysia has a tropical climate with two monsoon seasons. The NW Monsoon from October to February and the SW Monsoon from April to October with squalls and thunderstorms common. Average annual precipitation for West Malaysia is 2,540 mm (100 inches) and for East Malaysia it is 4,420 mm (150 inches). Humidity is high all year round and average temperature ranges for Kuala Lumpur are from 22 to 32 degrees all year round while in the mountains the average temperature ranges are from 13 to 27 degrees