Malaysia is divided into two parts, separated by more than 650 km of the South China Sea. Most of the country occupies the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, south of Thailand. It is sometimes called Malaya, or Peninsular, or West Malaysia. East Malaysia, made up of the states of Sabah, Sarawak, and the federal territory of Labuan, occupies the northernwestern portion of the island of Borneo.

LAND, PEOPLE, AND ECONOMY                

Peninsular Malaysia is dominated by mountains running several parallel north-south ranges. The highest, the Main Range, has peaks over 2,100 m. Sarawak consists largely of coastal plain. In Sabah the narrow coastal plain gradually gives way to a mountainous region that divides Malaysia from Indonesia. Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, at 4,101 m, is the highest point in Malaysia.

Malaysia's leading mineral resources are petroleum and natural gas, tin, bauxite, copper, and iron ore.

PEOPLE

The indigenous Malays compose more than 50% of the population. They are predominantly rural and traditionally have held the greatest political power. Another 30% of the population are Chinese, the descendants of late-19th- and early-20th-century immigrants. Primarily urban dwellers, the Chinese have traditionally dominated the economy. Non-Malay indigenous tribal peoples, who represent 8% of the population, are heavily concentrated in East Malaysia. Dayaks, Ibans, and Kadazans are the largest ethnic groups.

The official language is Bahasa Malaysia, but English is also widely spoken. Various Chinese and Indian languages are common. The state religion is Islam, to which the Malays adhere. Buddhism and Hinduism are the predominant religions among the Chinese and Indians, respectively.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Industry (including mining, manufacturing, construction, and power) is the largest sector of the economy, contributing about 40% of the national income. Malaysia remains one of the world's leading producers of tin, but tin now accounts for less than 2% of total export revenue. Food products, electronic devices and electrical machinery, chemicals, and rubber products are major products, and Malaysia is the world's leading exporter of semiconductor devices. It is also the world's leading producer of natural rubber and palm oil. Agriculture contributes about 16% of the national income; tourism is also an important factor in Malaysia's economy.

GOVERNMENT

Malaysia's government is modeled after the British system, albeit modified because Malaysia's federal structure incorporates 13 states and two federal territories. A monarch, the supreme ruler, is elected every five years by the nine traditional rulers of Malaya, the sultans. Real power, however, is in the hands of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, and the constitution was amended in 1993 to limit the legal immunity of the nine hereditary rulers. The bicameral parliament is composed of a partially appointed senate and a house of representatives whose members are elected by universal adult suffrage.

Visit the official Malaysia government website at www.gov.my.