Full country name: Federation of Malaysia
Area: 329,750 sq km
Population: 23 million
Capital city: Kuala Lumpur (pop 1.2 million)
People: 50% Malay, 33% Chinese, 9% Indian, plus indigenous tribes such as Orang Asli and Iban
Languages: Malay, English, Tamil
Religion: 52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Taoist, 8% Christian, 8% Hindu, 2% tribal
Government: constitutional monarchy
Head of state: Yang di-pertuan agong (King) Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail
Prime Minister: Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

GDP: US$99 billion
GDP per head: US$4,530
Annual growth:2%
Inflation: 4%
Major industries: Tin, rubber, palm oil, timber, oil, textiles, electronics
Major trading partners: Singapore, Japan, USA