Background:

Malaysia was formed in 1963 through a federation of the former British colonies of Malaya and Singapore, including the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo. The first several years of the country's history were marred by Indonesian efforts to control Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the federation in 1965.

• Industries: gas, textiles, apparel, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism
• Imports: electronics, machinery, petroleum iron and steel products, chemicals
• Exports: electronic equipment, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles

Geography:

• Area: total: 329,750 sq km water: 1,200 sq km land: 328,550 sq km1
• Borders: Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand
• Climate: tropical; hot, humid, monsoons
• Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains

• Population: 23,092,940
• Ethnic Groups: Javanese Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 24%, Indian 8%, others 10%
• Religions: Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh

• Malaysian Tourism Board
• Malaysian Resource Site
• History of Malaysia
• Local Malaysian News