Malaysia lies in South-Eastern Asia, part of Asia. The short and official forms of the name are the same. Kuala Lumpur is the capital.
By land area it covers 330,803 km², which ranks it 69th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Vietnam and just ahead of Norway. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Vietnam.
Around 35.6 million people live there, placing it 44th of 250 by population — between Uzbekistan above it and Saudi Arabia below. Within South-Eastern Asia alone it is the 6th largest of 11 and the 6th most populous.
Location, borders and position
The coordinates the dataset gives are 2.5° N, 112.5° E, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 278 km from the equator, in what geographers would call the equatorial belt.
The equator passes across it. Colombia, Kenya and Uganda sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.
3 countries share a land border with it: Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand. The largest of them by area is Indonesia, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 355.6 million people.
Unlike its landlocked neighbours it reaches the sea directly, while also sharing land frontiers.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population and languages of Malaysia
Density comes out at around 107 people per square kilometre, which makes it more crowded than the typical entry on this list. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.
The demonym is Malaysian, so residents are Malaysians.
It recognises 2 languages: English and Malay. English, the first listed, is shared with 90 other entries worldwide.
Inside Asia it places 18th of 50 by population, and it accounts for 5.1% of everyone living in South-Eastern Asia.
Currency, domain and dialling code
It uses the Malaysian ringgit (RM, MYR). That currency appears nowhere else on this list.
The top-level domain is .my. The international dialling code is +60. In ISO terms it is my in two letters and MYS in three.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.
Malaysia is one of the 193 UN member states in this dataset. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
Malaysia shares borders with 3 countries:
Fun facts about Malaysia
- Ranked by land area, Malaysia is 69th out of the 250 countries and territories on this site.
- It is 44th of 250 by population, with about 35.6 million residents.
- In land area it is almost exactly the same size as Vietnam.
- Websites based there use the .my domain.
- English is official here and in 90 other entries worldwide.
- Population density works out at roughly 107 people per square kilometre.
- It lies about 278 km from the equator, in equatorial latitudes.
Malaysia — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Malaysia?
- The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur.
- What currency does Malaysia use?
- Malaysia uses the Malaysian ringgit, written RM (currency code MYR). No other entry in this dataset uses it.
- How big is Malaysia?
- Malaysia covers 330,803 km², ranking 69th of 250 by land area. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Vietnam.
- What is the population of Malaysia?
- Malaysia has a population of about 35.6 million, which makes it the 44th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Uzbekistan sits just above it and Saudi Arabia just below.
- Is Malaysia a country?
- Yes. Malaysia is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
- Where is Malaysia located?
- Malaysia is in South-Eastern Asia, part of Asia. Its reference coordinates are 2.5° north and 112.5° east, roughly 278 km from the equator in equatorial latitudes.
- What language is spoken in Malaysia?
- Malaysia lists 2 official languages: English and Malay.
- Which countries border Malaysia?
- Malaysia borders 3 countries: Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand. Indonesia is the largest of them by area.
