Malaysia

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia split into two parts. One part is on a peninsula and the other is on the island of Borneo. Malaysia has ancient rainforests, modern cities, and food from many different cultures.

Land and People

About 33 million people live in Malaysia. The capital is Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Borneo has some of the oldest rainforests in the world. The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were once the tallest buildings on Earth.

Old painting of ships fighting at sea near Malacca.
Old painting of ships fighting at sea near Malacca. (Anoniem / Anonymous (engraver / etcher) / Wikimedia Commons)

Culture and Fun Facts

Malaysia has Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures all mixed together. This means amazing food everywhere, from nasi lemak to roti canai to laksa. Orangutans live in the rainforests of Borneo. Malaysia produces a lot of palm oil and rubber.

Fun Facts

  • The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004.
  • Malaysia's rainforests are about 130 million years old.
  • The Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, grows in Malaysian rainforests.

Did You Know?

Malaysia's rainforests on the island of Borneo are about 130 million years old, making them older than the Amazon. Orangutans, pygmy elephants, and the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia, all live there. The Rafflesia can grow over 3 feet wide and smells terrible!