Southeast Asia.

GMT + 8.

329,750 sq km (127,317 sq miles).

25.2 million (2008 estimate).

76.4 per sq km.

Kuala Lumpur. Population: 1.8 million (2007 estimate).

Malaysia is situated in central South-East Asia, bordering Thailand in the north, with Singapore to the south and Indonesia to the south and west. It is composed of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north coast of the island of Borneo, 650 to 950km (404 to 600 miles) across the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia is an area of forested mountain ranges running north-south, on either side of which are low-lying coastal plains. The coastline extends some 1,900km (1,200 miles). The west coast consists of mangrove swamps and mudflats which separate into bays and inlets. In the west, the plains have been cleared and cultivated, while the unsheltered east coast consists of tranquil beaches backed by dense jungle. The major islands are Langkawi (a group of 99 islands), Penang and Pangkor off the west coast; and Tioman, Redang, Kapas, Perhentian and Rawa off the east coast. In Malaysian Borneo, Sarawak has alluvial and, in places, swampy coastal plains with rivers penetrating the jungle-covered hills and mountains of the interior. Sabah has a narrow coastal plain which gives way to mountains and jungle. Mount Kinabalu, at 4,094m (13,432ft), is the highest peak in Malaysia.

Constitutional monarchy since 1963. Gained independence from the UK in 1957.

Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin since 2006.

Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi since 2003.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in for a second five-year term in March 2008, two days after his coalition suffered its worst election result in five decades. The ruling National Front won more than half of all seats in parliament, but lost its two-thirds majority, its worst result since independence in 1957.

The dominant political organisation in Malaysia has long been the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), which allied itself with several smaller formations to create the Barisan Nasional (NF, National Front). Between 1982 and 2003, Malaysian politics were shaped by the leadership of Mahathir Mohammed, a strident nationalist with an acerbic tongue and an intolerance of opposition in any form - something which saw him use the 9/11 attacks in the USA to demonise his Islamist opponents. His ruthlessness was exemplified when he framed his deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, for alleged homosexuality (which is illegal in Malaysia) and corruption, sentencing him to 15 years in prison.

Some problems have arisen lately between differing ethnic groups, largely due to a marked wealth gap between them, but generally, the various communities live harmoniously.

Bahasa Melayu is the national and official language, but English is widely spoken. Other languages such as Chinese (Cantonese and Hokkien), Iban and Tamil are spoken by minorities.

Malaysia's official religion is Islam. The country also has a large Buddhist community. Other religions, including Christian, Taoist, Confucianist, Hindu and animist, are also practised.

220-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are generally used.

Malaysia's population is ethnically and culturally diverse. Malays account for more than half the population and lead a calm life governed by the authority of elders and a strong sense of respect and etiquette. The Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan members of the population originally came to Malaysia to take up positions in the civil service, police and local government departments, as well as in the new rubber plantations, but many are now among the professional classes. European influences (British, Dutch and Portuguese in particular) are also very marked in Malaysia, although the European section of the population is now small.

The Malaysian equivalent of ‘hello' is the Muslim ‘peace be with you'. Malay men are addressed Encik (pronounced Enchik) with or without the name; single Malay women should be called Cik (pronounced Che) and married women Puan. Touching the hand to the chest is a sign of respect and a relaxed wrist and gentle touch should be adopted when shaking hands. Chinese and Indians usually use Western forms of address. Hospitality is always warm, lavish and informal. When eating food by hand, only the right hand should be used. Visitors should respect religious beliefs and follow the Malaysian example, such as wearing appropriate clothing. Footwear should be taken off at the door when entering a house or temple. Dress should be informal, but not over-casual.