Malaysia characteristic of the country according to the plan. Indonesia
1. General level of economic development, place in the economy of the world (country), territorial (international, inter-district) division of labor
malaysia economy natural economy
Advantages of the Malaysian economy: electronics, computers, electrical appliances, tourism, heavy industry (steel), palm oil, latex, rubber, chemical products, the national automobile brand "Proton".
Weaknesses of the country's economy: large debts, shortage of specialists, high interest rates hinder the development of private initiative, high government spending, competition with other rapidly developing countries.
The country occupies a leading position in the export of a number of important commodities. This country is one of the world's largest exporters of tropical timber, pepper, canned pineapple, palmista cake, and some types of rare minerals.
During the Federation period, Malaysia acquired a new world economic specialization. The export production of electronic components, liquefied natural gas has become widespread here. The production and export of rubber and other products from local raw materials is growing. But Malaysia is characterized by a very high degree of dependence of production on the sale of products on the foreign market.
At the same time, Malaysia remains very dependent on the external market to meet its needs for machinery, instruments, industrial equipment, means of transport, many consumer goods, food, materials, raw materials and fuel. More than half of all its needs for necessary products are covered by imports.
Such a high dependence on the external market has made the Malaysian economy especially sensitive to fluctuations in foreign trade prices and changes in the conditions for the sale and purchase of goods. Commodity prices are especially susceptible to fluctuations, which creates uncertainty in obtaining income from their exports and makes the very source of these incomes highly unstable. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Malaysia is dependent on the sale of a limited number of commodities on the world market. In their marketing, it experiences strong competition from other developing countries. The situation with the sale of finished products of its manufacturing industry on the world market is no easier. And export earnings are the main source of currency for paying for imports, chartering foreign vehicles, paying income on foreign capital invested in the country, paying expenses of Malaysian citizens abroad, repaying foreign loans and paying interest on them, etc.
The world market situation, as before, has an extremely strong influence on all aspects of the country's economic life, including the rate of economic growth, the implementation of economic and social development plans, and the standard of living of its population. In particular, changes in the economies of the leading states inevitably affect the Malaysian economy. The economic development of Malaysia is carried out in conditions of extremely high dependence on the world market conditions, which is due to the pronounced export orientation of the economy, the foundations of which were laid during the colonial period. In terms of the degree of dependence on the world market in the sale of products, Malaysia occupies one of the first places among developing countries. All this leaves its mark on the nature of the development and distribution of productive forces and on the peculiarities of their use in Malaysia.
2. Borders, spatial dimensions and configurations of the territory
Malaysia is located in the heart of the Southeast Asia region, between 1 and 7°N. sh. and 100 and 119° E. e. Its territory is almost entirely in the equatorial zone, only a small part of the country is included in the subequatorial zone.
The peculiarity of the country's territory lies in the fact that it was created from two isolated parts located on opposite shores of the South China Sea. The distance between the extreme southern points of both parts of the territory in a straight line is about 600 km, and between the northern ones - about 1600 km.
The western, continental part of the country, which has long been called Malaya, after the formation of the Federation received the official name of West Malaysia, and in 1973 was renamed Peninsula Malaysia. This part of the country occupies the south of the Malay Peninsula.
The eastern, insular part of the country occupies the northern and western parts of about. Kalimantan, most of which is part of Indonesia. Until 1973, the eastern part of Malaysia had the official name of East Malaysia, but in subsequent years it is not used in official documents, and this part of the country is called Sabah and Sarawak. However, in the scientific literature, names reflecting the geographical location of parts of the country, West and East Malaysia, are still widely used. Along with these, the old geographical names of the territories of Malaysia are also used - Malaya and North Kalimantan.
The entire territory of the country covers an area of 329,747 km 2, including Peninsular Malaysia - 131,587 km 2, Sabah - 73711 km 2and Sarawak - 124,449 km 2, According to other sources, the territory of Malaysia is -329,293 km 2, including Peninsular Malaysia - 133,598 km 2, Sabah - 73,710 km 2and Sarawak - 123,985 km 2. The mainland of Malaysia occupies only 40% of the entire territory of the country, and the remaining 60% - Sabah and Sarawak.
Peninsular Malaysia, or Malaya, has a land border with Thailand in the north, and with Singapore in the south, which is connected to it by a causeway. The Strait of Malacca separates Peninsular Malaysia from one of Indonesia's largest islands, Sumatra. Sabah and Sarawak have a fairly long land border with Indonesia and the small state of Brunei. The Balabak and Sibutu Straits separate Sabah from the Philippines.
3. Economic and geographical position
Malaysia<#"justify">For the economic and geographical position of Malaysia, it is essential that the ancient, most important sea route from Europe to the Far East and Oceania passes near its shores. Malaysia has convenient transport links with Australia, Japan, the USA and South Asia, as well as with countries in Europe, the Middle East. Due to its maritime position, it can support shipping communications with all, even the most remote, maritime countries of the world. At the same time, Malaysia has convenient overland communications with the countries of continental Asia.
4. Socio-political and political system, administrative division (device) of the territory
Malaysia is an elected federal<#"justify">The administrative division of the Federation of Malaysia provides that Malaysia is divided into East and West, consists of thirteen states (Negeri) and three federal territories (Wilayah Persekutuan). Eleven states and two federal territories are located on the Malay Peninsula, while 2 states and 1 federal territory are on the island of Borneo.
5. Natural resource prerequisites for the development and location of production in the territory
The peculiarity of the nature and natural resource potential of Malaysia is mainly due to the fact that, firstly, the country is located in the equatorial zone, secondly, its territory is part of the Pacific ore belt and, thirdly, it is adjacent to the shallow sea.
The first factor predetermined the nature of the climate, and consequently, the soil cover, flora and fauna of the country. The second factor determined some specific features of its mineral resource potential, and the third factor determined the richness and diversity of marine flora and fauna available for use and large reserves of natural resources in the bowels of the shelf.
In general, Malaysia has favorable natural conditions and the necessary natural resources for the development of its economy, which are combined with a favorable geographical position.
The structure of the surface of Malaysia is characterized by a combination of relatively low mountain formations with a flat area. According to very rough estimates, mountains occupy 60%, and low-lying plains - 40% of the entire territory of the country.
Malaysia is located only 100 - 150 km from the equator and has a typically equatorial, hot and humid climate with persistently high average temperatures, high humidity and abundant rainfall. The difference between average monthly temperatures throughout the year does not exceed 2°. On the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the average temperature in January is +25°, and in July - plus 27°. In other areas, the temperature difference is even less, the average temperature is +26, +27 ° all year round. Temperature fluctuations during the day are more significant. And of course, the average temperature decreases with increasing altitude of the area above sea level.
In the bowels of Malaysia, significant reserves of many minerals are concentrated - tin, copper and iron (magnetite and hematite with an iron content of up to 60%) ore, bauxite, oil and natural gas (on the shelf of the South China Sea), coal, gold. In terms of tin reserves, Malaysia is somewhat inferior to Thailand.
The oil and natural gas reserves of individual fields are unknown in most cases. According to some experts, natural gas reserves in the early 1980s were distributed approximately equally between fields off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia and off the coast of Sabah and Sarawak (together). A large gas field off the coast of Sarawak (145 km west of the settlement of Bintulu) has gas reserves estimated at 170 billion m3. The total reserves of free natural gas in the Central Lukonia Basin (west of Bintulu) at the end of the 70s were estimated at 290 billion m3 of proven and 430 billion m3 of probable reserves.
Fuel resources occupy an important place in the mineral resource potential of the country. According to the most approximate estimates, the main part of the "cost" of the mineral and raw materials and fuel and energy resources of Malaysia falls on fuel, primarily oil and natural gas. Formerly the main indicator of the wealth of the country's natural resources, tin lost its former importance in the 70s, giving way to oil and natural gas.
A rich tin-bearing zone runs through the territory of Malaysia, especially its western part, which extends from the borders of China to the "tin" islands of Indonesia (Banka, Belitung, Sinkep and other small islands off the east coast of Sumatra). Tin deposits are scattered throughout Peninsular Malaysia, but the bulk of the tin ore reserves are concentrated at the foot of and. on the western slope of the Central Mountain Range, in the zone of the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, stretching from the border with Thailand in the north to the border with Singapore in the south.
Tin placers predominate in alluvial deposits, but there are also primary deposits (mainly in the eastern half of continental Malaysia), which are still very poorly studied.
There are tin deposits not only on land, but also in the depths of the Strait of Malacca. Tungsten, titanium, iron, gold, niobium, tantalum, yttrium, thorium, zirconium and other rare and rare earth metals are found together with tin.
The explored reserves of tin include mainly alluvial deposits and a small number of primary deposits, and these reserves lie in most cases close to the surface of the earth and are convenient for open-pit mining. It should also be noted that there are other favorable conditions for the development of tin deposits.
The development of Malaysian alluvial deposits, in contrast to the deposits of Thailand and African tin-mining countries, is not limited by the lack of water in certain seasons. The deposits are located near seaports and have good transport links with the coast. The largest areas of tin ore deposits are the valley of the river. Quinta (Perak state) and the Kuala Lampur region are only a few tens of kilometers away from the coast. The main areas of tin ore deposits are at the same time densely populated and have a surplus of labor.
Malaysia in Southeast Asia ranks second after Indonesia in terms of bauxite reserves. The largest of the bauxite deposits is located in the south of the Malay Peninsula. There are also in the Northern region, on the territory of the Indonesian Kalimantan, very large bauxite deposits have been discovered relatively recently. Apparently, significant bauxite deposits can be discovered in North Kalimantan, since the geological structure of these areas is approximately the same. In addition, deposits of this raw material were discovered in the past on the territory of Sarawak.
The reserves of iron ore in Malaysia are small and scattered over individual small deposits. The former two large iron ore deposits - "Bu-kit-Ibam" and "Bukig-Besi" - have already exhausted their reserves. It is characteristic that all the ore was exported abroad, mainly to Japan. There are also reserves of manganese in iron ore deposits. Since the depths of the country are far from being studied enough, one can expect new major discoveries of reserves of minerals and rocks known and unknown in Malaysia. Malaysian iron ore can be said to be the richest in the region in terms of iron content.
6.Economic prerequisites for the development and location of production in the territory
The population of Malaysia as of July 2008 is 25.3 million people. 50.4% - Malays, 23.7% - Chinese, 11% - representatives of numerous island tribes, 7.1% - Indians, 7.8% - other nationalities. The official language of the country is Malay.
4% of the population professes Islam, 19.2% - Buddhism, 9.1% - Christianity, 6.3% - Hinduism, 2.6% - Confucianism and Taoism, 1.5% - other religions, 0.8% does not apply themselves to no religion. Europeans, people from other Asian countries (except China and the countries of the Indian subcontinent), as well as people of other nationalities make up no more than 3% of the entire Malaysian population.
It should be noted that the majority of the newcomers do not assimilate with the indigenous, retain their language, culture, religion, national traditions and way of life, maintain cultural and other ties with the country of their ancestors.
The most important characteristic feature of the national-ethnic composition of the country's population is the very large proportion of non-indigenous, newcomers, mainly from East and South Asia. Indigenous people make up only slightly more than half of the total population of Malaysia. About 40% are from China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In Malaysia, there are also immigrants from neighboring countries of Southeast Asia - Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, as well as Arabs from the countries of the Middle East, residents from other eastern countries. There is a small European population, mostly English, as well as descendants from mixed marriages of Europeans with local residents.
Malaysia is characterized by an uneven distribution of the population throughout the country and large differences in: the number and density of the population between Peninsular Malaysia and North Kalimantan. More than 80% of the population lives in Peninsular Malaysia, while the island part accounts for less than 20% of the Malaysian population.
There are very significant differences in population density within these main parts of Malaysia as well, primarily between coastal and inland areas. They are especially pronounced in North Kalimantan, but there are also in Peninsular Malaysia.
To the west of the Central Range, in an area covering 1/4 of the area of Peninsular Malaysia, the average population density exceeds 150 people per 1 km 2, and in the central part of this zone - 250 people per 1 km 2. The latter contains about 100% of the entire population of the country, although its area is less than 15% of Peninsular Malaysia. East of the Central Range, in an area equal to the territory of Sabah, the average density is less than 50 people per 1 km 2. In the hinterland, the population density is even less.
The densely populated strip of the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on average, about 90 km wide, stretching from the border with Thailand to Singapore, concentrates the bulk of the Chinese and Indian population. Outside this band, the number of Chinese and people from the Indian subcontinent is small. In some areas, for example, in the region of Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur - Port Kelang, Malacca, Johor Bahru, Penang Island and the province of Seberang Perai (Wellesley), the density of the Chinese population in the late 50s ranged from 80 to 120 people per 1 km 2, and now, given the continuous growth of the population over the past years, even higher. The highest density of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent is in the state of Penang, Sungei Patani, Kelang and Malacca.
7. Environmental conditions for the development and location of production in the territory
Malaysia is distinguished by a great originality of its geographical position, natural conditions and natural resources, the national and ethnic composition of the population, the location of the economy, and the wide development of foreign economic relations. It plays a significant role in the global geographical division of labor.
Advantageous geographical position, large and diverse natural resources, abundant resources of cheap labor and a capacious sales market in Southeast Asia predetermined the increased interest of the monopoly capital of the leading powers in this region. And after liberation from colonial and semi-colonial dependence, the countries of Southeast Asia that have chosen the market path of development, including Malaysia, remain the object of active expansion of international monopolies.
8. The historical sequence of the formation of the economy in the territory
The formation of Malaysia was preceded by a long stay of the states that later joined this Federation under the conditions of the colonial regime, which could not but leave a deep imprint on all aspects of their political, economic and cultural life.
Prior to joining the Federation, only Malaya gained independence (1957), but its economy, by the time of the formation of Malaysia, retained all the main features characteristic of the colonial era.
The development of the economy of Malaya and North Kalimantan during the years of British colonial rule was one-sided. As is typical for any colony, Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak were turned into agrarian and raw material appendages of the metropolis, supplying the markets of England and other industrialized countries with valuable tropical mineral and vegetable raw materials, especially since these colonies had resources of raw materials that were scarce on the world market. . Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak acquired a very narrow economic specialization, limited to the production of a small number of raw materials, which determined the entire economic life of the population. Other branches of the economy were in a state of decline; their development was not only not encouraged, but, on the contrary, was hindered by the colonial authorities.
The territory of Malaysia in geological terms belongs to the Pacific ore belt. The inner part of this belt, facing the Pacific Ocean, is characterized by the presence of such metals as copper and gold, and its outer part - by other metals, in particular tin.
The resource base of non-metallic raw materials in Malaysia is characterized, on the one hand, by a wide variety of minerals and their widespread distribution in various combinations throughout the country, typical for this group of raw materials, and, on the other hand, by a very poor study of these resources. With a few exceptions, there are not even any estimates of reserves and the geography of deposits has not been studied at all.
The structure of resources of non-metallic raw materials in Malaysia is characterized by an abundance of raw materials for the production of building materials and a lack of mining and chemical raw materials. In Malaysia, for example, there are no phosphates and potassium salts. The reserves of sulfur-containing raw materials, represented only by sulfide ores, are quite insignificant. But there are deposits of limestone suitable for the production of soda, and table salt, which is the starting material for the production of chlorine and soda, can be obtained from sea water.
For the development of the Malaysian economy, as well as other developing countries, fuel resources are of great importance. The basis of the country's fuel resources are oil and natural gas.
9. Economic assessment of the EGP, natural resource, economic, demographic and other potential of the territory
The basis of the economy is industry (46% of GDP) and services (41%). Agriculture<#"justify">10. Features of the organization of production in the territory - sectoral structure of production
In Malaysia, agriculture accounts for 7.3% of GDP, industry for 33.5%, and services for 59.1% of GDP. The population of the country is "scattered" by spheres of production in direct proportion to the higher data: industry - 27%, agriculture + forestry + fishing industry - 16%, tourism and local trade - 17%, services - 15%, government (authority) - 10% , construction - 9%. Malaysia is an agricultural country. The hot, humid climate makes it possible to grow many crops: rubber plants, palm trees (for oil), fruits. Malaysia has access to the sea, allowing you to fish and seafood. Rain forests have a huge supply of timber. Malaysia is also rich in mineral resources: oil (remember the world famous oil company Petronas, which built the legendary twin towers), natural gas, iron and tin ores. The second important source of income for Malaysia is industry. Light industry and electronics manufacturing and assembly. With a high-quality but cheap labor force, Malaysia has become the "assembly shop" of many companies, mostly Japanese. Tourism has recently begun to gain more and more momentum in Malaysia. Many people want to visit Kuala Lumpur, a beautiful and clean modern city, as well as numerous natural parks. Unfortunately, tourism in Malaysia is not as developed as in neighboring Thailand or Singapore, but in the near future Malay tourism will only improve.
Malaysia's foreign economic policy is aimed at ensuring the country's active and comprehensive participation in the processes of globalization and regionalization. A resolute policy is being pursued to attract foreign private capital to the country and encourage Malaysian investments abroad. Export - 161 billion dollars, import - 131 billion dollars (2008). Mostly finished industrial products are exported (more than 85% of the value) - electronic equipment, components and components for it, electrical goods, chemical products, ready-made clothing and footwear, as well as oil and oil products, vegetable oils, cocoa and other products of tropical agriculture. Imported are mainly machinery and equipment, assemblies and components for them, industrial raw materials and semi-finished products, consumer goods, oil products. Main trading partners: ASEAN countries (primarily Singapore), USA, Japan, EU countries.
11. The degree of compliance of the existing economic system with natural, economic and other prerequisites (conditions) for the development of production in the territory
1.1. Geographical position
Malaysia ,
Federation of Malaysia, a state in Southeast Asia, a state in Southeast Asia. The country consists of two spatially separated parts, separated by approximately 640 km of the South China Sea. Western Malaysia occupies the south of the Malay Peninsula (with the exception of Singapore), and East Malaysia (the states of Sarawak and Sabah) occupies the northeastern part of Kalimantan (former Borneo). On the mainland, Malaysia has a land border with Thailand, and on Kalimantan - with Indonesia. The Strait of Malacca separates Peninsular Malaysia from the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The island part of Malaysia in the east is washed by the Sulu Sea, which separates the country from the Philippines.
1.2. Territory, area
A country with an area of 329,758 sq. km, consists of two spatially separated parts, separated by approximately 640 km of the South China Sea. The coastline of Peninsular Malaysia is approx. 1900 km, the coasts are slightly indented and are characterized by smooth outlines. Nevertheless, there are quite a few convenient harbors and bays in which port facilities have been built. Most of them are located in the west and south of the peninsula. The coastline of the Malaysian part of Kalimantan has a length of approx. 2250 km, in the east it is strongly dissected. The most deeply incised bays are located in the northeast of Kalimantan (Darvel, Sandakan, Labuk, Marudu, Kimanis). There are many islands in the coastal zone of Malaysia. The largest of them are Lankawi and Penang, located in the Strait of Malacca in the north-west of the country, and Bangui and Labuan off the coast of Sabah.
1.3. Administrative-territorial division
Malaysia consists of 13 states and 2 federal territories - the capital of Malaysia, the city of Kuala Lumpur and the island of Labuan. 9 states-sultanates - Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Negri-Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor, Terengganu - are headed by descendants of ancient dynasties; Penang and Malacca are governed by governors; later joined Sarawak and Sabah in Kalimantan as presidents.
The constitution of independent Malaya was adopted in 1957. In 1963, in connection with the unification of Malaya with Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah, additions were made to it in the Federation of Malaysia - the Malaysia Act. The state system is a constitutional monarchy. The official ideology of the country in 1970 was proclaimed "rukunegara" ("foundations of the state"). It proclaims the desire to strengthen the unity of a monoracial and socially just society, the strengthening of democracy, respect for cultural traditions and the development of the country. To achieve these goals, the following principles are put forward: faith in God, devotion to the monarch and the state, respect for the constitution, observance of laws, decent behavior and observance of moral standards.
Malay is declared the state and official language. According to the constitution, there is freedom of religion, but the official religion of the country is Islam.
Malaysia is a monarchy with an elected head of state. The supreme ruler (yang di-pertuan agong), as well as his deputy, are elected by the council of rulers (hereditary sultans) of the 9 states of Malaysia for a five-year term from among its members. The supreme ruler performs the representative functions of the head of state "on the advice of the parliament and government." It is also intended to ensure the special position of the Malays and other representatives of the country's indigenous population (bumiputera) and the "legitimate interests" of other communities. The first are guaranteed positions in the civil service, are allocated allowances, scholarships and quotas in educational institutions, are granted preferential permits and licenses for entrepreneurial activity, etc. The monarch is considered the supreme commander of the armed forces of the country, appoints the prime minister. Since 2001, the Supreme Ruler is Syed Sirajuddin ibni al-Marhum Syed Putra Jamalullail.
The Council of Rulers, in addition to electing the head of state, "gives advice" on the appointment of judges, the attorney general, members of the electoral commission and the civil service commission. He accepts or rejects laws related to changes in the boundaries of the sultanates-states.
Chief Executive - Prime Minister (since 2003 - Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi)
1.4. Population, ethnic composition
As of July 2003, the population of Malaysia was 23.09 million. Of these, about 4/5 were concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia. In 2003, the birth rate in Malaysia was estimated at 2.37 per 1,000 people and the death rate at 5.12. The demographic growth rate of the population was at the level of 1.86% per year. The average life expectancy in Peninsular Malaysia in 2003 reached 69.01 years for men and 74.51 years for women, which is significantly higher than in the state of Sabah.
Peninsular Malaysia.
On this territory with an area of 131.6 thousand square meters. km dominated by three ethnic communities: Malay, Chinese and Indian. Over the past 30 years, the number of Malays has increased especially rapidly (about 3% per year), from which the Chinese and Indians have lagged behind (on average, about 2% per year). In 2000 Malays made up 58%, Chinese 24%, Indians 8%, others 10%. In the early 1990s, the average population density in Peninsular Malaysia exceeded 115 people per sq. km. However, this figure does not fully reflect the real picture, since only the coastal plains can be considered well-inhabited, while the upland areas covered with dense forest serve as a habitat only for scattered small semi-nomadic groups that take a minimal part in the economic life of the country. Meanwhile, more than 70% of all inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia are concentrated on the developed western coastal plain. On the east coast, such large urban centers as Kota Bharu in the delta of the Kelantan River, Kuala Terengganu at the mouth of the Terengganu River and Kuanan, to which the highway from Kuala Lumpur leads, appeared. The Malays predominate in the countryside, where there are still quite a few Indians. However, a significant number of Malays and Indians are firmly established in cities and towns, although in large centers they are outnumbered by the Chinese, who hold a leading position in the developing urban economy.
The population of Peninsular Malaysia is distinguished by a polyphonic culture, which has developed to a large extent as a result of various religious mutual influences.
Sarawak and Sabah.
Approximately half of the population of Sarawak and Sabah are the aborigines of Kalimantan, who belong to several ethnic groups. In Sarawak, the largest of them are the Ibans, or Sea Dayaks (30% of the population), Melanau (5%) and other groups of Dayaks (9%). In Sabah, the most numerous are Kadazans (25% of the population), Muruts (4%), also belonging to the Dayak group, and Bajao (11%). Among the migrants, the Chinese make up a significant share (29% of the inhabitants of Sarawak and 18% of Sabah), followed by the Malays (20% and 5%, respectively).
In both states, the maximum concentration of population is on the coastal plain along the northern coast of Kalimantan. Most of the Malays live there, while the indigenous people prefer to settle in the interior of the island. The Chinese are concentrated mainly in cities and suburban areas.
The official language of Malaysia is Malay, although a significant part of the population speaks English, Chinese (represented by many dialects), Tamil and other Indian languages. In addition, the indigenous people of Sarawak and Sabah speak some languages of the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) family of languages, and the small indigenous population of Peninsular Malaysia uses the languages of the Mon-Khmer group of the Austroasiatic family. Few autochthonous peoples have a written language. In this regard, the Ibans stand out, the writing of which has a Latin graphic basis.
Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia has a very high level of urbanization. In the early 1990s, just over 50% of all Malaysians lived in cities with a population of over 10,000. Malaysia has approx. 40 "large" cities with a population of over 50 thousand people.
In Peninsular Malaysia, 50% of the urban population is Chinese, 38% Malay and 11% Indian. Due to the increasing influx of members of other ethnic groups into the cities, the proportion of Chinese in the population is gradually decreasing.
The largest city in Peninsular Malaysia is the capital Kuala Lumpur (1236 thousand people in 1995). Founded in 1857 as a mining village, this metropolitan city is today the commercial and industrial center of the country. The second largest city of Ipoh (about 500 thousand people) is located in the very center of the Kinta river valley.
2. BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Despite the fact that the indigenous population of Malaysia (Orang Asli) speaks different languages, all ethnic groups go back to a single Austronesian root. According to linguist historians, the homeland of these ethnic groups was in the south of China, and the migration of the ancestors of the modern inhabitants of Kalimantan and the peninsular part of Malaysia to the islands of the Malay Archipelago occurred between 2500 and 1000 BC.
At the beginning of our era, thanks to the revival of international trade, the Straits of Malacca became an ideal meeting place for Indian and Chinese merchants. Indian merchant ships sailed with southwesterly winds, while Chinese merchant ships sailed with northeasterly winds. Both those and other ships were delayed for some time in the strait, and with a change in the direction of the monsoon, they set off on their way back. Thanks to stable commercial ties with the populations of countries located on both sides of the Malacca Strait, trading settlements began to appear, and groups of enterprising merchants acquired a dominant role in the economic life of the region.
Between the 7th and 11th c. the most powerful state in the Strait of Malacca was the state of Srivijaya, located in the southeastern part of Sumatra. Chinese and Indian sources of that time note the wealth of Srivijaya and its fame as a center of Buddhism. Related to the 7th c. stone inscriptions found in the territory of the former kingdom represent the earliest variant of the Malay language.
8th c. The city-states of the Malay Peninsula came under the control of the maritime empire of Srivijaya. Its center was located on the island of Sumatra, but its rulers managed to take possession of a significant part of the Indonesian archipelago, up to West Kalimantan. Mahayana Buddhism became the religion of Srivijaya. Ancient Malay was apparently the official language of the empire. The oldest known inscription on it, made at the behest of the ruler of Srivijaya, dates back to 682.
In 1511, the Portuguese squadron under the command of Afoncho d'Albuquerque captured Malacca, turning the city into a powerful fortress and the main stronghold of the colonialists in this region. During the assault and the ensuing massacre, many Muslims were exterminated. The power of Portugal was based on a trade monopoly and cruel terror. All owners of ships passing through the Strait of Malacca paid high fees, and many merchants now sought to bypass Malacca. In the city itself, the Portuguese pursued a policy of forced Christianization.
18th century The British East India Company began to actively try to establish itself on the trade and sea routes leading from India to China. In 1786, representatives of Great Britain concluded an agreement with the northern Malay principality of Kedah, according to which, in exchange for a promise of help against Siam, the British received the island of Penang. The British colony Georgetown was organized here, turned into a free port and a trading center. In 1795 the British took possession of Malacca, taking it from the Dutch, and in 1800 forced Kedah to cede the coastal strip on the Malay Peninsula, where the province of Wellesley was created. In 1805, Penang received the status of presidency as part of British India.
Until the Second World War, on the territory of modern Malaysia, there were several administrative-territorial entities that were part of the British Empire.
August 31, 1957 Federation of Malaya became an independent state; the post of prime minister remained with Abdul Rahman.
3. PHYSICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MALAYSIA
3.1. Minerals, relief, geological structure
Most of Peninsular Malaysia is occupied by hills and low mountains, forming several parallel chains. The longest Kerbau ridge has a submeridional strike, crosses almost the entire country and forms the main watershed of the Malay Peninsula. The highest point in West Malaysia is Mount Tahan (2187 m). In the central and southern parts of the Malay Peninsula, as well as along the coasts, low-lying plains are common. The width of the coastal plains reaches 30 km in the east and 60 km in the west. They have a flat relief and are heavily swamped. Most of East Malaysia is occupied by plateaus and a massive mountain range on the border with Indonesia. Sabah is home to the highest point in the country, isolated Mount Kinabalu (4100 m). The highest point in Sarawak is Mount Murud (2246 m). A narrow strip of low-lying plains stretches along the coast, somewhat expanding in the mouth part of the Rajang River. Wetlands, small in area, are found in Sarawak and the lower reaches of the Rajang.
In the bowels of Malaysia, significant reserves of many minerals are concentrated - tin, copper and iron (magnetite and hematite with an iron content of up to 60%) ore, bauxite, oil and natural gas (on the shelf of the South China Sea), coal, gold. In terms of tin reserves, Malaysia is somewhat inferior to Thailand.
3.2. Climate
On the island of Kalimantan and the south of the Malay Peninsula, the climate is equatorial, on the rest of the peninsula, subequatorial monsoon. On the plains, average monthly air temperatures fluctuate between 25–28°C. During the day, the temperature rarely rises above +32°C, and at night it drops to about +21°C. The climate is moderate in the mountains, and cool at high altitudes.
The average annual precipitation on the plains is 1500–2500 mm in the peninsular part of the country and 3750 mm on the island of Kalimantan, rising to 4000–5000 mm in the mountains. Precipitation occurs all year round, but as a result of the alternation of the northeast and southwest monsoons, they show seasonal variability (the rainiest month is December, and from February to June the precipitation is less abundant). In general, inclement weather is more common in Sarawak and on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia than on its west coast and in Sabah. The maximum annual amount of moisture was recorded in the town of Long Atar in Sarawak (6000 mm).
3.3. Hydro network
The Malay Peninsula is characterized by a dense river network. However, the rivers are short. The longest of them are Pahang (about 320 km), Kelantan, Johor, flowing into the South China Sea, and Perak (270 km), flowing into the Strait of Malacca. In Kalimantan, the river network is more sparse. The largest rivers are Kinabatangan (563 km), Lyabuk, Segama, Padas in the state of Sabah and Rajang (563 km), Baram (402 km), Lupar (228 km), Limbang (196 km) in the state of Sarawak. Due to the abundance of precipitation, the rivers are full-flowing all year round and transport a significant amount of suspended material. Malaysia's rivers, teeming with rapids and waterfalls, are a potential source of electricity. The lower reaches of the major rivers are navigable, and the Rajang is navigable for a considerable distance.
3.4. soil, vegetation
In Malaysia, mainly red-yellow ferralitic and alluvial soils are common, which, under the influence of heavy rainfall, erode and lose their fertility. In many areas, once fertile soils are depleted due to continuous cultivation of the same crops.
The soil and climatic conditions of Malaysia are very favorable for the development of dense tropical rainforests. Forests cover approx. 70% of the country. Most of them are distributed in Kalimantan. Tropical rainforests are species rich. They grow approx. 8,000 species of flowering plants, 3,000 species of trees (including 25 species of conifers), 1,000 species of orchids, 300 species of palm trees, 60 species of bamboo, 500 species of ferns. Among humid tropical forests, lowland (up to 300 m above sea level) and forests of foothills and lower mountain slopes (at altitudes from 300 to 750–800 m above sea level) are distinguished. Forests have a three-tiered structure. Usually the height of the upper tier is 40–50 m, but individual trees reach 80 m (for example, tualang). In tropical rainforests such valuable tree species from the dipterocarp family as meranti, chengal, keruing, kapur, balau grow. In addition, kempas, merbau, nyatokh, ramin, etc. are widespread. An abundance of epiphytes, climbing plants (rattan palm, etc.) and lianas are characteristic.
Above 750–800 m a.s.l. humid evergreen tropical mountain forests are widespread. Depending on the height, the following belts of these forests are distinguished: 750–1200 m above sea level. - mixed forests, three-tiered, up to 25–30 m high with a predominance of dipterocarps (Shorea platyclados, etc.) in the upper layer and palm trees, including dwarf palms, in the lower layer; 1200–1500 m - oak forests with trees from the families of laurel, myrtle, magnolia; 1500–2000 m – high mountain low forest (up to 10 m high) with a predominance of dwarf forms of mountain oak; above 2000 m - alpine shrubs and mountain meadows. In Sabah and Sarawak, above the belt of oak forests, there is a belt of coniferous forests, which is dominated by agathis, phylocladus, podocarp. The lowland plains are also characterized by several types of forest. Along the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula in a continuous 20-meter strip, and along the western coast, thickets of casuarina are distributed in separate areas, to which such rocks as penanga laut and ketepanga are mixed. On the western coast of the Malay Peninsula and on the east coast at the mouths of rivers, in Sabah and Sarawak, a wide strip of mangrove forests stands out, the height of the tree layer of which reaches 12 m. They are characterized by thickets of api-api, bakau, langadai. In addition, tropical swamp forests occupy significant areas in some places. In Sarawak, they are dominated by such valuable breeds as Ramin and Alan, and on the Malay Peninsula - Gelam.
3.5. Animal world
Territory
Malaysia belongs to the Indo-Malay zoogeographic region. In recent years, as the forests are being destroyed, the number of wild animals, especially large ones, has been declining. Elephants, gaura bulls, Sumatran rhinoceros, tapirs are not numerous. Sambur and muntjac deer are common, wild boars are abundant, and bearded pigs are found in swampy forests. Of the predators in the forests, there are a tiger, a leopard, a black panther, a marten. There are many monkeys in the forests: an orangutan, four species of gibbons, several species of macaques, and loris. There are lemurs, bats are numerous. In total, there are approx. 240 species of mammals. The richness of the avifauna of Malaysia, numbering approximately 600 species belonging to 70 families, is striking. Its most striking representatives are peacocks, wild chickens, pheasants, lanes, white-eyes, woodpeckers, kingfishers, blackbirds, quails, parrots and parakeets, wild pigeons, Malayan crow, etc. 25 species of turtles are common in Malaysia (including the sea green turtle, which breeds on the northern coast of Kalimantan), more than 100 species of lizards, 17 species of snakes (including cobra, or spectacled snake, king cobra, reticulated python). Crocodiles, once found in abundance in the mouths of rivers, are now on the verge of extinction, occasionally there is a gharial. The fauna of insects is especially numerous (about 150 thousand species, including 1000 species of butterflies).
The coastal waters of Malaysia are home to hundreds of species of fish and more than 1,000 species of shellfish. Of commercial importance are mackerel, bonito, tuna, sardines, spearfish, sea bass, flying fish, swordfish, sailfish, moonfish, barracuda, sharks, rays, anchovies, mussels, octopuses, squids, crabs, spiny lobsters, shrimps, and of large animals - sperm whales, dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles.
4. ETHNO-CULTURAL FEATURES OF MALAYSIA
Malays have always been traditionally united by language, Islamic religion, loyalty to the Sultan and common cultural values. However, relatively recent social contradictions are becoming increasingly important. Since 1971, a new economic policy began to be carried out with the aim of restructuring society. In 1970, the Malays, who made up 59% of the total population, owned less than 1.5% of the capital, most of which was at the disposal of foreigners and the Chinese community. Malays, Chinese and Indians are easily identified by their occupations. The Malays were either peasants or civil servants, the Chinese were businessmen or freelancers, and the Indians were hired laborers on plantations. In 1990, the Malays already owned approx. 24% capital.
Although over 80% of the permanent Chinese in Malaysia were born in this country, they invariably retain their language and occupation inherited from their ancestors. The recently acquired differences among the Chinese are determined primarily by the level of education and the degree of familiarization with Western culture. The Chinese of Malaysia remain committed to Buddhism, Taoism or Christianity.
The majority of Malaysian Indians are Hindus and, being predominantly from southern India, speak Tamil. Although Indians, among whom, by the way, there are many doctors and lawyers, are found in all spheres of economic life, the local rubber plantations are mainly Indian workers.
The small peoples of Sarawak and Sabah, such as the Penan, live in small villages in the interior underdeveloped areas of these states and practice subsistence agriculture. They grow upland rice, hunt, fish and gather. They speak widely differing languages and retain traditional animistic beliefs, although many natives have converted to Christianity or Islam. Marriages between Ibans and Chinese are common.
Malaysia introduced free 11-year schooling. At the end of primary school, approximately 60% of students continue their studies at secondary school. Graduates of the five-year high school take the matriculation exam.
Malaysia has 10 public universities and 28 teachers and technical colleges. The oldest University of Malaya and the International Islamic University are located in Kuala Lumpur, the National University of Malaysia is located in the city of Bangui (Selangor State), the Agricultural University of Malaysia is located in Serdang (in the same state), in Minden (Pulau Pinang State) - Science University of Malaysia, in Sintok (pc. Kedah) - Northern University of Malaysia, in Johor Bahru - Technological University of Malaysia, in Samarahan (near Kuching) - Sarawak University of Malaysia. Among the newly opened ones are the University of Malaysian Sabah, Sultan Idris University, Perak and Mara Institute of Technology. Several private institutions of higher education were founded in 1987: the University of Telecommunications (Unitel), the Tenaga National University (Uniten) and the Petroleum Institute of Technology.
There is fiction in Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil. There are many theater groups in Kuala Lumpur. Performances are given in both Malay and English.
In the 1920s and especially in the 1930s, the Malay novel (Abdul Samad Ahmad, Abdullah Sediq, Mansour Abdul Qadeer, Ishaq Haji Mohamad) became widespread. In the second half of the 20th century Abdullah Ghani Ishak, Hamdam, Ahmad Lutfi, Chris Mas, S.I. Nur, M. Ghazali, A. Samad Said, Abdullah Hussein, Shahnon Ahmad, Qasim Ahmad, Kemala, Nurdin Hasan and others wrote in Malay. Among Chinese authors the most famous are Lin Cantian, Wang Gekong, Wu Tian, Wei Yun, Miao Xu and Huang Yai, and among the Tamils - M.S. Mayadevan, M. Iramaya, K. Perumal and M. Ulaganadan. Wang Genwu wrote in English. E. Tambu, Won Fuinam and others.
Outside the country, the work of local handicraftsmen is famous - pewter utensils from Selangor, silver items from Kelantan, painted using the batik technique. The best examples of Malaysian craftsmanship are presented at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. The National Mosque, the Houses of Parliament, the television tower, or the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the National Library, and the two-tower building of the Petronas Oil Company, erected in the capital, serve as examples of elegant architectural structures made in a modern style.
There are libraries in the administrative centers of each of the states. In addition to the usual exhibition work, museums in the cities of Kuala Lumpur, Alor Setar and Kuching are engaged in archaeological and historical research. The Kuching Museum houses the largest collection of Iban folklore in the world.
In the mid-1990s, ca. 40 daily newspapers in Malay, English, Chinese, Punjabi and Tamil. Their total circulation was approximately 2.4 million copies. The largest daily newspapers are Berita Harian (250,000 copies), Nantian Shanbao (145,000), New Straits Times (170,000). The news agency Berita National Malaysia (BERNAMA) operates.
The state-owned radio station, Radio Malaysia, broadcasts in the most common local languages.
5. TOURIST RESOURCES OF MALAYSIA
An important source of income is international tourism. Tourists visit the country mainly from Singapore, Thailand and Japan.
The climate in Malaysia is tropical, warm and humid all year round. The average annual temperature ranges from 26C to 30C, somewhat cooler in the highlands. Monsoon winds are distributed as follows: in the southwest - from April to October, in the northeast of the country - from October to February. Thus, Malaysia is attractive for tourists all year round. Rains usually pass in the afternoon. Humidity is high throughout the year.
Vacation in Malaysia is an opportunity to combine the most diverse types of recreation: luxurious beaches, warm lagoons, industrial cities, virgin jungles, bird reserves, butterflies, monkeys. Malaysia is a Muslim country, but with the most liberal and democratic orders.
Malaysia is a true gourmet paradise: inexpensive local cuisine, a wide selection of fruits and vegetables, and the skill of chefs from all over the world! All this is multiplied many times over by the warmest and most rosy welcome and exceptional service.
The best place to relax is the Malaysian islands, each of which is unique and has its own unique charm. Particularly attractive are the islands of Langkawi, Penang and Tioman, where first-class hotels are located on the seashore, near the evergreen jungle. Small local planes deliver tourists to the islands.
Langkawi island
It is located in the northern part of the Strait of Malacca near the Andaman Sea and is the largest in a group of 104 islands. Untouched nature, amazing sandy beaches, shady hills and jungles with a variety of flora and fauna. Langkawi is an ideal place for diving, fishing and boat trips
Attractions:
Waterfall "Seven thresholds" 100 meters high and other waterfalls. Thanks to the stepped fall, 7 pools with wonderful soft water were formed. According to legend, fairies flocked to these pools for bathing and fun. The vibrant nature surrounding the waterfall adds even more mystery to this miracle;
Hot Springs Air Panas;
Lake of the "pregnant maiden" - a fresh green lake in the jungle;
Spirit Cave with thousands of bats;
Oceanarium "Underwater World". Once in a 15-meter glass tunnel, behind the transparent walls of which everyday underwater life goes on, you can see more than 5 thousand species of fish, mollusks, corals and other marine life;
Marine Reserve "Payar";
Crocodile farm. Here, on an area of 20 acres, you will see more than 1000 crocodiles of different species in natural conditions, collected from all over the world. Here you can also see an entertaining performance with the participation of crocodile "stars";
Butterfly Park;
Mausoleum of Princess Mahsuri.
penang island
It is located 110 kilometers south of Langkawi and is rightfully called the "Pearl of the East". The temples of Penang Island are protected by UNESCO as architectural monuments. The beaches of Penang are a heavenly idyll of calm and silence - golden sand, clear blue water, small caves, fenced off from the outside world by huge boulders.
Attractions:
Temple of the Serpent. Here, on certain days according to the Chinese calendar, a huge number of snakes crawl, filling literally every corner of it. On ordinary days, too, you can see several snakes coiled on the altar, pick them up, wrap them around their necks and arms to capture this in sensational photographs;
The current monastery of the Supreme Bliss;
Temple of the Goddess of Mercy;
Khu Kongsi Temple;
Thai temple Wat Chey Mangkalaram;
Burmese temple Dhami Karama Burmese;
Mosque of Captain Kling;
Church of St. George;
Botanical Garden;
Orchid Garden;
bird park;
Butterfly park. In total, the park contains more than 5 thousand butterflies of various species, and in addition many other types of insects: a huge beehive, live scorpions, tarantulas, water dragons, geckos, giant centipedes;
Penang Museum and Art Gallery. The symbol of Penang can be called the Penang Bridge, 13.5 km long, which connects the island to the mainland and is considered the third longest bridge in the world.
Pangkor, Redang
The islands of Pangkor and Redang are very small, but attract people from all over the world with their unique underwater landscapes with the richest flora and fauna. Only a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol on about. Redang, which was introduced in the state of Terengganu, in which the island is located, in early 2001.
Diving on about. Redang: Of the coral formations of the island, the most famous is recognized as the largest single coral in the world - Mushroom Coral, which has the shape of a mushroom with a height of 20 meters and a 300-meter diameter. It is especially interesting to dive on the reefs of the island at night - there is a feeling that all the living creatures of the world's oceans spend the night here. From August to September, giant shellless tortoises migrate here.
The best time for diving: from May to October.
Average air temperature: 33 degrees Celsius.
Water temperature: 26 to 30 C. Underwater inhabitants: hawk-billed and green turtles, shellless turtles, barracudas, rays, garupas, whale sharks, tiger sea urchins, lobsters, as well as black, red and white corals, gargonians and sponges.
Tioman
This island is considered one of the most beautiful in Asia. Nature endowed it with unique beauty, and people surrounded it with a haze of ancient legends. White sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters attract tourists from all over the world. Tioman is also an ideal place for underwater photography, snorkeling and scuba diving. People come here to swim with whale sharks, who constantly visit these waters.
Borneo
The island of Borneo is a country of a colorful hornbill, a shy hornbill, a friendly orangutan, and unusually hospitable local tribes, the Dayoks. Endless sandy beaches are protected from waves by coral islands scattered along the entire coast of Sabah. A unique orangutan reserve, mangrove jungle, famous caves, majestic mountains with hot springs.
Sarawak (western Borneo)
The state of Sarawak occupies the largest territory of all the states of Malaysia. Sarawak provides its guests with the opportunity to plunge into the tropical jungle, unencumbered by traces of civilization, to communicate with local tribes that have not changed their way of life for thousands of years. Some tribes living in the jungle only made contact with the newcomers 4 years ago! Here you have the opportunity to spend the night in the heart of the jungle.
Sabah (eastern Borneo)
The capital of the state is Kota Kinabalu, covering an area of 30 thousand square meters. miles. Sabah tempts tourists with its white sand beaches, clear waters of the ocean, picturesque coral islands and magnificent mountain parks. In the center of the state rises Mount Kota Kinabalu (4,101 meters above sea level) - the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Climbing it will bring you great satisfaction, not only because of overcoming a difficult route, but also due to the richness of flora and fauna.
In Sabah there is a unique rehabilitation center for orangutans - Sepilok. Here the animals are prepared for life in the wild. Another noteworthy reserve is Turtle Island. The main population of Sabah is kandazandusun. The territory was chosen by this tribe for protection from sea pirates by taking advantage of the mountainous landscape.
Desaru
At the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula, in the state of Johor, on the border with Singapore, is the famous resort of Desaru. Johor State, a busy trading port since ancient times, has a very rich history. Today it is one of the most economically developed states in Malaysia, where agriculture, industrial production, trade and tourism flourish in equal measure. The state is a major producer of rubber, palm oil and pineapples.
Leisure
Malaysia is an ideal country for sports and ecological tourism. Here you can practically do everything: hiking, climbing, canoeing, rafting, and speleology.
Taman Negara is the first place for those who want to visit the real jungle. The jungles of Taman Negara are estimated to be 130 million years old.
6. TRANSPORT MALAYSIA
Already in the early 1990s, the fleet of vehicles exceeded 5 million units, and the total length of roads amounted to 92,500 km. Most of them are located in Peninsular Malaysia.
The Malayan Railway connects Peninsular Malaysia with Singapore and Bangkok. There is one very short line in Sabah, and there is no rail service at all in Sarawak. There are international airports in Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Lankawi. There are more than 40 seaports in the country. The largest of them are Penang, Pelabuhan-Kelang, Port Dickson and Malacca in the peninsular part of the country; Sandakan, Labuan and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah; Kuching in Sarawak.
What is the main subject of geography: a) people; b) territory; c) nature; d) industry; e) economics? Geography KOREA
Malaysia. Directory. Physico-geographical essay. M: Head. ed. Eastern Literature Publishing House Nauka, 1987. (Physical and geographical essay).
Geographical position. The Federation of Malaysia is one of the states of Southeast Asia, a country of the equatorial belt. It lies between 1 and 7° 40' north latitude and 99° 70' and 119° 30' east longitude. The southernmost point of Malaysian territory is located on the island of Kalimantan, in southwestern Sarawak, in the region of the land border with Indonesia, running along the Kelinkang ridge, and the northernmost point is the northern coast of one of the islets at the tip of Sabah in the Balabas Strait, which separates Kalimantan from the Philippine archipelago. The western limit of Malaysia is located on Lankawi Island off the western coast of the Malay Peninsula. The eastern tip of the country is the eastern ledge of Sabah in northeastern Kalimantan, jutting out into the Sulu Sea. The total area of the Malaysian territory is 332.8 thousand square meters. km.
Malaysia can be attributed partly to the mainland of Southeast Asia, partly to the island. The state is divided into two isolated and widely separated geographical regions - mainland and island. They are separated by almost 600 km of the South China Sea.
The mainland of the country is usually called Western, or Peninsular, Malaysia (Malaya). Its area is 131.2 thousand square meters. km, i.e., about 40% of the entire Malaysian territory. It covers the south of the Malacca Peninsula with the adjacent islands: Lankawi, Penang, Tioman and other smaller ones. The island part of the country, or East Malaysia, is often referred to as North Kalimantan. This is a strip of the island of Kalimantan, the largest in the Greater Sunda group. Many small coastal islands also belong to East Malaysia: Labuan, Bangei, Balambangan, etc. This part of the country is divided into two historical regions - Sarawak and Sabah. The first occupies the southwest and the center of East Malaysia, the second - its northeast. The area of East Malaysia is 201.6 thousand square meters. km, i.e. 60% of the country's territory.
Much of Malaysia's border is maritime. Western "Malaysia is washed from the west by the waters of the Malacca Strait, from the south - by the Singapore and Johor, from the east - by the South China Sea. The shores of East Malaysia are washed by the South China Sea in the north, Sulu in the northeast and Sulawesi in the east. The total length of the Malaysian coastline reaches 4.8 thousand km. There is a land border with Thailand on the Malay Peninsula, as well as with Indonesia and Brunei on Kalimantan. The Brunei territory, representing two small enclaves on the coast of the South China Sea, is surrounded on all sides by Malaysian territory on land. Malaysia is separated from the island state of Singapore only by the narrow (1.5 km) Strait of Johor.
The relief is very varied. Everywhere coastal lowlands gradually turn into hilly terrain, and it, in turn, into mountain ranges, occupying a significant part of the territory. The mountain ranges are closest to the sea in the west of Sabah. Here you can find steep steep banks. Usually, the slopes of the Malaysian mountains are gentle, and their peaks have smooth, rounded outlines.
In the western part of the country, coastal plains stretch along the entire coast in a narrow strip. The entire center of the Malay Peninsula is occupied by mountain ranges stretching in the meridional direction. They do not reach the southern tip of the peninsula, passing in Johor into a low, in places hilly plain. The westernmost of these ranges, Larit, has a relatively small extent, breaking off in central Perak. The valley of the Perak River separates it from the main, Central Range, or Kerbau. It is a continuation of the mountain systems of Southern Thailand and extends much further south, breaking off in the Malacca region. Other ranges of West Malaysia are Nakaun, Bintan, East, Pahang, etc.
The local mountains are relatively low, their peaks rarely reach more than 1500-2000 m above sea level. The highest point of the Malay Peninsula is Mount Tahan (2190 m), located in its central part, east of the Central Range. The highest point of the Central Range is Mount Bubu (1650 m).
In East Malaysia, the lowlands cover a larger area. They are mainly located in the coastal part of Sarawak and in the lower reaches of the river. Rajang. There are many swamps and wetlands of the jungle. The main mountain ranges of East Malaysia are located in the south and southeast. They form a continuous mountain range that stretches along the Malaysian-Indonesian border. The ranges of Sarawak serve as watersheds between the river basins of the Indonesian and Malaysian parts of Kalimantan. Individual peaks here reach 2300-2400 m or more above sea level. Among them are Murud (2430 m) and Tadok (2300 m) in northern Sarawak.
Almost the entire space of Sabah, with the exception of a narrow coastal edge, is occupied by a low plateau, turning in the west into the Crokot mountain range. It stretches along the coast of the South China Sea. In the northern part of this ridge is the most significant peak of Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu, crowned with a snow cap. Its height is 4195 m above sea level.
The Malaysian mountains are composed of granites, quartz, limestone, shale. In the west of the country, the mountains were severely destroyed. Stony rocks devoid of vegetation cover often protrude.
Minerals. The subsoil of Malaysia is rich in a variety of minerals. However, the official results of geological surveys give only a very rough idea of the mineral resources that the country has. But even on their basis, it can be argued that the deposits of some minerals are unique in their richness and are of world importance.
Malaysia has the richest loose tin reserves in the world, estimated at 1.5 million tons. The main deposits of tin are concentrated in the valley of the Kinta River in the state of Perak, as well as in the state of Selangor, including in close proximity to the country's capital Kuala Lumpur. Smaller tin deposits are found in other states of West Malaysia: Kedah, Johor, Negeri Sembilan.
On the Malay Peninsula, large deposits of iron ore have been explored, reserves are determined at 70 million tons. They are located in the east coast region - in the states of Pahang, Trenga-nu, Kelantan, as well as in Perak, north of Ipoh, the main city of this state, and in the upper reaches of the Pahang River. In the west and extreme south of Johor, the southernmost of the West Malaysian states, there are two large deposits of bauxite. Their reserves are estimated at about 10 million tons. Bauxites are also found in East Malaysia: in Sarawak near Sematan, as well as in the areas of Bukit-Gebong and Tanjung-Serabang.
The explored reserves of the currently exploited oil field in the Miri region, in eastern Sarawak, are small. They are significantly inferior to oil reserves in neighboring Brunei. Intensified exploration of new oil fields is yielding encouraging results. Oil reserves have also been discovered on the sea shelf off the Malaysian coast. Exploration work continues.
There are coal reserves in the Batu Arang region, in western Malaysia, northwest of Kuala Lumpur, as well as in Sarawak, 130 km northwest of Kuching, and on the island of Labuan. Reserves of copper ore were discovered in Sabah, in the Kota Kinabalu region. Gold deposits are known in the western part of the state of Pahang and in Sarawak (4 points).
The country also has large reserves of manganese ore, antimony, rare earth metals, marble, quartz, kaolin, etc. Rich sources of raw materials create favorable opportunities for the development of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, the chemical industry, and the production of building materials.
Seas and inland waters. The seas and straits surrounding Malaysia belong to the basins of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The Straits of Malacca and Singapore, washing the western coast and the southern tip of the Malacca Peninsula and connecting the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean basin with the South China Pacific basin, are shallow and narrow. At its narrowest point, the Strait of Malacca is about 40 km wide. The strait widens considerably in its northern part. Its greatest depth does not even reach 100 m, and the smallest depth along the fairway is 40 m. The width of the Singapore Strait ranges from 4.6 to 21 km. The Strait of Johor, along which the state border between Malaysia and Singapore passes, is essentially an arm of the Singapore Strait. In the eastern part, its width exceeds 4 km, and in the western part it narrows considerably. In the central part, the strait is blocked by a dam connecting the Malay Peninsula with the island of Singapore.
Washing the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula and the northern coast of Kalimantan, the South China Sea is one of the semi-closed seas of the Pacific Ocean. It is limited by the coastline of the mainland and the islands of Taiwan, Luzon, Palawan and Kalimantan. The southern and western parts of the sea are shallow - here the maximum depth does not exceed 150 m, while in its northeastern part there is a depression (up to 5119 m). Off the coast of Malaysia, the sea has shallow depths, with the exception of the Sabah region and northern Sarawak. Here, at a distance of 200-300 km from the coast, the depths reach 2,000 m in places. The sea surface temperature is +28°. Typhoons are not uncommon in the South China Sea in summer and autumn. Tides are diurnal and mixed up to 5.9 m.
The northeast and east of the Malaysian part of Kalimantan is washed by two small inter-island seas - Sulu and Sulawesi. The Sulu Sea is located between the islands of the Philippine archipelago (Palawan, the southern ledge of Luzon, Panay, Negros, the western ledge of Mindanao, the Sulu archipelago) and Kalimantan, and the Sulawesi (Celebes) Sea is located between the islands of Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Mindanao, Sanga and the archipelago Sulu. Both seas are deep water. In their eastern parts there are depressions with depths reaching 5-6 thousand meters. The surface temperature in both seas reaches + 25-26 °.
The coastline of the Malacca Peninsula is relatively smooth, slightly indented. Rivers flowing into the sea form wide estuaries, but not branched deltas. The picture is different in North Kalimantan, where large deltas in the lower reaches spread into many branches and channels. A particularly large delta forms the Rajang River in Sarawak. In northern Sarawak and especially in Sabah, the coastline becomes more indented, forming a series of closed shallow waters, convenient for
bay swimming. Among them are the bays of Brunei near the border of Sarawak and Sabah, Murud - in the far north of Sabah, Labuk and Darvel - on the east coast of Sabah. In the east of the country, the coastline takes on a skerry character in places. There are many small islands, coral reefs and shoals off the coast of the Sulu and Sulawesi Seas. There are especially many reefs that impede navigation at the exit from Darvel Bay into the Sulawei Sea and at the northern tip of Sabah. As a rule, there are no coral reefs off the coast of the Malay Peninsula. This facilitates navigation and the task of arranging ports.
Through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, as well as the South China Sea, the most important sea lanes of international importance, the route from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, pass. The most important ports of Malaysia (Penang, Port Dickson, Malacca) are concentrated on the coast of the Strait of Malacca. All the straits and seas washing the country are of great importance for the country's economy - fishing and sea fishing, as well as for coastal navigation.
Both the western and eastern parts of the country have a dense river network. Most of the rivers are relatively small in length, but they are full of water due to the abundance of precipitation. Starting in mountain ranges or in hilly areas, the rivers in their upper reaches are stormy, rapids. Descending from the mountains and flowing further along the plains, they become wider and more abundant. When flowing into the sea, many rivers reach a considerable width. The use of river mouths as natural harbors for the entry of sea vessels is hindered by sand bars, elongated shallows formed as a result of the movement of river sediments by sea waves. Therefore, it is periodically necessary to carry out labor-intensive work to clear and deepen the fairway where harbors for ships have been created in the mouths of the rivers (for example, Kuching on the river of the same name in Sarawak). The most significant rivers can be used in the lower reaches for small-scale shipping, cargo and ‘passenger’. The transport significance of rivers in northern Kalimantan is especially great due to the underdevelopment of a network of other communications here. Large r. Rajang in Sarawak is navigable for a considerable distance.
The rivers of the Malacca Peninsula belong to two basins - the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea. In their upper and middle reaches, they flow through narrow mountain valleys squeezed by ridges, and in their lower reaches they enter the coastal plains. The largest rivers in West Malaysia are Pahang (320 km), flowing from west to east and flowing into the South China Sea a little south of 4 ° north latitude, and Perak (270 km), originating in the mountains near the Thai border and flowing from the north south in a meridional direction, flowing into the Strait of Malacca at 4 ° north latitude. At its mouth, this river forms a wide estuary. Other more or less significant rivers of the Malay Peninsula are Kelantan (in the state of Kelantan), Johor, Muar (both in the state of Johor), etc. In Sarawak, the most significant river is the Rajang (560 km long, navigable for 240 km) with large right tributaries Baluy and Baleh. Its basin covers a large part of the said state. In its vast delta, the main channel of the river breaks up into many branches and channels. The delta is heavily swamped. Other major rivers of Sarawak are the Sarava'k, Sadong, Lupar, Saribas, Mukah, Baram, Limbang, etc. All of them flow into the South China Sea, but they are significantly inferior to the Rajang in their length. Saribas and Lupar, when flowing into the sea, form extended estuaries. In Sabah, only one more or less significant river, the Padas, flows into the South China Sea. In the area of the delta, at the confluence with the Brunei Bay, the right branch of the Kli-as is separated from it, forming a low-lying marshy island. All the rest, the big rivers of Sabah - Kinabatangan, Segama, Labuk, Sugut flow from west to east and flow into the Sulu Sea. Kinabatangan (560 km) is the deepest and longest river in Sabah and is equal in length to the Rajang. In its upper and middle reaches, it flows through a narrow valley, cutting through the central part of the inner plateau of Sabah. A number of ports in North Kalimantan, including the city of Kuching, the administrative center of Sarawak, are located not on the sea coast, but at some distance from the sea in the lower reaches of large rivers accessible to small and medium-sized ships.
The rivers of Malaysia, with their numerous rapids, waterfalls and rapids, are powerful sources of cheap electricity. They open up favorable opportunities for the country to solve the energy problem through the construction of hydroelectric power stations.
There are no significant permanent lakes in the country. We can mention Lake Dampar, located in the flat part of the south of the Malay Peninsula (in the state of Pahang near its border with Johor) and belonging to the basin of the river. Pahang. In the low-lying coastal regions, there are many swamps, which turn into vast lakes during the rainy season. Especially large wetlands are found in the extreme south of the Malay Peninsula, in the coastal part of western Sabah, in particular in the Rajang delta, in the area of the mouth of the Padas River in western Sabah and in some coastal areas of eastern Sabah.
The inland waters of the country are of great economic importance as sources of fisheries.
Soils. The soils of Malaysia have not yet been studied enough to fully classify them and draw up a detailed soil map. But even based on the available data, one can judge their diversity. Podzolized lateritic soils predominate, which are characteristic of forested tropical countries with a humid climate. They are high in iron oxides.
and aluminum and have predominantly reddish hues. Lateritic soils form on the surface of the so-called lateritic soils.
ites, dense clayey or stony rocks, which, in turn, are the result of the weathering of various rocks rich in aluminosilicate materials. In mountain lateritic soils, one can observe a high content of humus, that is, a humus, organic part, which is formed as a result of biochemical and microbiological processes of transformation of plant, microorganic and animal organisms.
There are many varieties of lateritic soils that change their character depending on the regime of temperature and humidity. In mountainous areas, at high altitudes, as temperatures decrease and precipitation increases, soils become more podzolized. There are also red-brown and podzolic soils. In the mountains, stony rocks (granites, quartz, marble) often appear, devoid of a soil layer.
The soils of the country as a whole are quite fertile and favorable for the cultivation of various tropical crops. Lands with lateritic soils developed after clearing forest areas tend to deplete faster and require additional fertilizers. In the floodplains and valleys of both the Malay Peninsula and North Kalimantan, the soils are alluvial. They are formed as a result of the deposition of various river sediments (pebbles, gravel, sand, loam and clay), which are also rich in organic matter. Alluvium composes river floodplains and terraces and forms their soil cover. Such soils are especially common in the coastal part of Sarawak. Fertile alluvial lowlands with an established regime of periodic watering can be successfully used for rice cultivation. On the small islands of coral origin off the coast of Sabah, soils are formed as a result of the weathering of coral reefs. They are fertile enough to grow crops that do not require artificial irrigation.
Intensive logging (for example, in Sabah), clearing the jungle for plantations lead to disturbance of the soil cover. Particularly affected are deforested mountain slopes exposed to winds and heavy rains. Here you can often find traces of erosion.
Climate. The climate features of Malaysia are due to the country's location in the tropical equatorial belt and the monsoon zone, as well as the influence of the South Seas. The climate is equatorial, characterized by a large amount of moisture and a high average annual temperature. All year round there is more or less even hot weather. The annual amplitude of temperature fluctuations is insignificant. In the country as a whole, the average annual temperature ranges from 25 to 28°C. However, in lowland areas, the lower reaches of the rivers, the upper indicator changes upward, sometimes reaching 36 °. In the mountains: the climate becomes more temperate, and even cool at high altitude. In general, the daily amplitude of temperature fluctuations is also small throughout the country. It is more noticeable in the interior mountainous regions.
Precipitation is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, but rainier and drier seasons can be distinguished, which is associated with monsoon winds. In summer, monsoons blow from the Indian Ocean. They are strong and persistent and dominate the climate of the Malay Peninsula, where the summer season is wetter. In winter, monsoons blow from the Pacific Ocean. Their impact is largely felt in the north of Kalimantan, and therefore the wettest period there is winter. Annual rainfall depends on many local geographic conditions. In coastal and lowland regions, it is 1500-2500 mm per year, and more precipitation falls on North Kalimantan than on the Malay Peninsula. In the inland mountainous areas, the amount of precipitation increases, reaching 5000 mm, and in some places even 6500 mm. There are 200 or more rainy days a year.
Abundant precipitation has a strong influence on the regimes of inland waters, which are therefore characterized by variability and instability. Prolonged rains significantly raise the water level in the rivers, often causing: devastating floods.
The climatic conditions of Malaysia are favorable for agriculture. They make it possible to grow tropical crops all year round, and subtropical crops in mountainous areas. The abundance of precipitation, along with favorable opportunities (natural irrigation, useful for growing various crops), creates its own difficulties. The fluctuating regime of the rivers, caused by the abundance of rainfall, complicates productive rice cultivation, which requires regular irrigation. To adapt to this regime, it is necessary to build complex systems of irrigation facilities.
Vegetable world. At least 3/4 of the country is covered with evergreen tropical vegetation. The main forest areas are concentrated in East Malaysia, the central and eastern parts of the Malay Peninsula. The vegetation of Malaysia is represented by approximately 15 thousand species, of which 6 thousand are woody.
Several distinct vegetation zones can be distinguished. Low-lying areas of the sea coast, flooded during high tides, as well as areas of river deltas, are covered with dense mangroves. Mangrove trees, resting on widely branched stilted roots, belong to various species, in particular, to rhizophora. At the edge of the coast, these are low shrubs, which, as they move away from the tidal zone, become already a forest with a tree height of up to 5-10 m. On the Malay Peninsula, the mangrove forest zone stretches along the coast in a relatively narrow ribbon. It reaches a large size in the coastal lowlands of North Kalimantan. Here and there, especially in Western Sarawak, mangrove forests form significant massifs.
A low nipa palm tree grows along the banks of the rivers. Ficuses, tree-like ferns, bamboo thickets rise above it, forming, as it were, a second tier. It gradually passes into the third tier, which is made up of powerful trees of various species, reaching an impressive height (40-50 m, and in some cases up to 65 m). Such layering is typical for the forests of Southeast Asia.
In the alpine forests, plant species of the subtropical zone predominate, and above 2000 m - and temperate. Evergreen oaks, rhododendrons, chemaras and other local conifers with delicate silky needles, ferns grow in the mountains. Chestnuts and maples are found in the upper belt of alpine forests. Here the trees are also entangled with vines, covered with mosses and lichens. At the most significant peaks (above 3500 m), forests turn into ‘shrubs’, and then into meadows.
The forest provides the population of Malaysia with many useful products for the economy. Many of the plants cultivated by the locals can be found in the wild in the forests. These are coconut and sago palms, bananas, papaya, mangosteen, breadfruit, ginger tree, etc. The collection of wild fruits plays an important role in the life of the inhabitants of forest areas, especially the Dayaks of Kalimantan and the natives of the Malacca Peninsula. For peasants and residents of small villages and urban outskirts, bamboo, which grows everywhere, is indispensable. From its poles, a light frame of a hut is erected, roof formwork is made, floors are laid, simple home furniture, vessels and other utensils are made. Split bamboo is woven into mats that serve as wall material. Rattan is also harvested for economic purposes. This is a kind of palm tree with a thin and flexible rope-like trunk that wraps around trees like vines. Rattan is used as ropes to make light wicker furniture. Pandan leaves are used to weave hats and mats. Wood resin and charcoal are also objects of forestry.
In a number of areas of the Malay Peninsula and North Kalimantan, in particular in the east of Sabah, intensive deforestation is being carried out for the sake of harvesting valuable species of timber for export. Therefore, the area of forests in Malaysia, although so far slowly but steadily, is declining. Some of the bare areas are then used for plantations or farmlands.
Animal world. Malaysia belongs to the Indo-Malay zoogeographic region. Its mainland and insular subregions, due to their geographical isolation from each other, have significant differences. The mainland fauna is much richer than the island fauna. Some of the species common in West Malaysia are not found in the eastern part of the country. But only in Kalimantan there is a large ape orangutan. Both in the eastern and western parts of the country there is a related, but much smaller gibbon, as well as other types of monkeys: thin-bodied, macaques.
Large mammals are represented by the Indian elephant, two-horned rhinoceros, tapir, wild bull - banteng. There are relatively few representatives of all these species. Unlike some other countries in South and Southeast Asia, elephants are generally not used as domesticated workers in Malaysia.
Of the ungulates, there are various breeds of deer, goats, and wild boars. Of the predators, there are titles, leopards, panthers, black Malay bears, red wolves, forest cats, individual representatives of the viverra family: for example, mongooses. Some of these animals, in particular tigers, are found only in the Malay Peninsula. The mongoose is sometimes tamed and kept in the home to kill snakes.
Many different rodents and other small animals live in the forests: squirrels, mice, rats, bats, etc. With hordes of rats eating crops, the peasants have to constantly wage a merciless struggle.
The world of birds is rich and diverse. Of the large birds, the peacock, the hornbill with a strong, bent down beak, the argus from the pheasant family with beautiful tail plumage are noteworthy. Among the birds there are many different parrots, herons, birds of paradise, quails, wild pigeons, swifts, etc. Of the exotic birds of paradise, the long-tailed drongo is interesting, a small dark blue bird with a forked tail, turning into long ones crowned with curly feathers at the end rods.
Crocodiles and related gharials are found in rivers and swamps. The local species of crocodile is the so-called combed crocodile with strong comb-like growths on the skin - the shell of the back. The gavial differs from its blunt-nosed cousin in its elongated, beak-shaped muzzle. Adult individuals of both reach more than 5 m in length. Crocodiles and gharials are hunted for the sake of strong and beautiful skin, which is used to make handbags, folders, briefcases.
Numerous snakes of various species live in grass thickets, on tree branches, in water, in cultivated fields, near human habitation, and often crawl into a person’s house. Among the poisonous snakes, one of the most dangerous is the cobra. Particularly dangerous, as the most poisonous and aggressive, are the black cobra and the king cobra. The last, the largest of the poisonous snakes, is 3-4 m long. Its poison can kill even a large animal. In coastal sea waters there are many species of poisonous sea snakes. They differ from their terrestrial relatives in a somewhat flattened tail, which plays the role of a fin. There is also a giant reticulated python in the forests. It is hunted for its beautiful skin, the scales of which form a regular, symmetrically repeating ornament. Snake skin is in high demand. She goes to various crafts: wallets, cigarette cases, handbags, ladies' shoes, etc.
There are many turtles and lizards in the country. In every house you can find spotted gekko lizards, or tokei, as the Malays call them, as well as small greenish checks running along the walls and ceiling. They benefit from the fact that, with their voracity, they eat a lot of mosquitoes and other insects.
The world of insects is very diverse. There are many species of beetles, bright multi-colored butterflies. Mosquitoes and voracious ants are a real scourge for the locals. Ants eat household items, food supplies, corrode the beams and walls of houses. As a means of combating them, the piles of houses are impregnated with a persistent oil composition. From mosquitoes during sleep they are saved under a gauze canopy.
There are many fish in the rivers and coastal waters. Among river fish there are many representatives of the carp family. In the sea, in addition to various types of fish, crustaceans are found, ranging from small shrimps to huge sea crayfish and lobsters, as well as mollusks, sea turtles.
The Malaysian government is taking steps to conserve rare animal species. Tapir, great apes and some other animals are under protection. For the same purpose, two national parks have been created: Taman Negara, located on a mountain plateau in the eastern part of the Malay Peninsula, and Bako - in North Kalimantan.
Other materials on the subject of Geography
1. General level of economic development, place in the economy of the world (country), territorial (international, inter-district) division of labor
malaysia economy natural economy
Advantages of the Malaysian economy: electronics, computers, electrical appliances, tourism, heavy industry (steel), palm oil, latex, rubber, chemical products, the national automobile brand Proton.
Weaknesses of the country's economy: large debts, shortage of specialists, high interest rates hinder the development of private initiative, high government spending, competition with other rapidly developing countries.
The country occupies a leading position in the export of a number of important commodities. This country is one of the world's largest exporters of tropical timber, pepper, canned pineapple, palmista cake, and some types of rare minerals.
During the Federation period, Malaysia acquired a new world economic specialization. The export production of electronic components, liquefied natural gas has become widespread here. The production and export of rubber and other products from local raw materials is growing. But Malaysia is characterized by a very high degree of dependence of production on the sale of products on the foreign market.
At the same time, Malaysia remains very dependent on the external market to meet its needs for machinery, instruments, industrial equipment, means of transport, many consumer goods, food, materials, raw materials and fuel. More than half of all its needs for necessary products are covered by imports.
Such a high dependence on the external market has made the Malaysian economy especially sensitive to fluctuations in foreign trade prices and changes in the conditions for the sale and purchase of goods. Commodity prices are especially susceptible to fluctuations, which creates uncertainty in obtaining income from their exports and makes the very source of these incomes highly unstable. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Malaysia is dependent on the sale of a limited number of commodities on the world market. In their marketing, it experiences strong competition from other developing countries. The situation with the sale of finished products of its manufacturing industry on the world market is no easier. And export earnings are the main source of currency for paying for imports, chartering foreign vehicles, paying income on foreign capital invested in the country, paying expenses of Malaysian citizens abroad, repaying foreign loans and paying interest on them, etc.
The world market situation, as before, has an extremely strong influence on all aspects of the country's economic life, including the rate of economic growth, the implementation of economic and social development plans, and the standard of living of its population. In particular, changes in the economies of the leading states inevitably affect the Malaysian economy. The economic development of Malaysia is carried out in conditions of extremely high dependence on the world market conditions, which is due to the pronounced export orientation of the economy, the foundations of which were laid during the colonial period. In terms of the degree of dependence on the world market in the sale of products, Malaysia occupies one of the first places among developing countries. All this leaves its mark on the nature of the development and distribution of productive forces and on the peculiarities of their use in Malaysia.
2. Borders, spatial dimensions and configurations of the territory
Malaysia is located in the heart of the Southeast Asia region, between 1 and 7 s. sh. and 100 and 119 c. e. Its territory is almost entirely in the equatorial zone, only a small part of the country is included in the subequatorial zone.
The peculiarity of the country's territory lies in the fact that it was created from two isolated parts located on opposite shores of the South China Sea. The distance between the extreme southern points of both parts of the territory in a straight line is about 600 km, and between the northern ones - about 1600 km.
The western, continental part of the country, which has long been called Malaya, after the formation of the Federation received the official name of West Malaysia, and in 1973 was renamed Peninsula Malaysia. This part of the country occupies the south of the Malay Peninsula.
The eastern, insular part of the country occupies the northern and western parts of about. Kalimantan, most of which is part of Indonesia. Until 1973, the eastern part of Malaysia had the official name of East Malaysia, but in subsequent years it is not used in official documents, and this part of the country is called Sabah and Sarawak. However, in the scientific literature, names reflecting the geographical location of parts of the country, West and East Malaysia, are still widely used. Along with these, the old geographical names of the territories of Malaysia are also used - Malaya and North Kalimantan.
