MALAYSIAN IN BRIEF

SIZE AND POPULATION

Situated in South East Asia,Malaysia is a land of eternal summer, blessed with an incredibly rich range of flaura and fauna, and diverse multi-racial cultures, contrast from its tranquil evergreen forest to its golden sandy beaches. Malaysia comprises of the Malay Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak with a total land area of 329,758 square kilometres. The Peninsula makes up nearly 40% of the land area while Sarawak and Sabah forms 38% and 22% respectively. The Peninsula is situated to the south of Thailand while Sabah and Sarawak occupy northern Borneo, Sabah and Sarawak are separated from the Peninsula by the South China Sea. Malaysia has a population of 18 million people comprising of a racial community with Malays Chinese and Indians forming the main races and the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak ie Kadazans, Bajaus, Muruts, Kelabits, Dayaks and Ibans. In terms of population distribution, 82% of the population is found in the Peninsula, 10% in Sarawak and 8% in Sabah.

Copyright © 1995, JKR Cawangan Jalan, December, 1995