Malaysia

Where the name comes from

Malaysia means “land of the Malays”; Melayu may come from an old Sumatran river or kingdom name, but its origin is uncertain.

First people

Malay sea-trading societies grew here, and people lived in the Niah Caves of Borneo about 40,000 years ago.^1,2

Known for

Malaysia is known for the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and for Borneo’s rainforests, home of orangutans.³

Outside contact

Portugal conquered Malacca in 1511, the Dutch in 1641 and the British for good in 1824; Japan occupied the region in 1941–1945.⁴

The modern country

Malaya became independent in 1957, and Malaysia was formed in 1963 when it joined with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore; Singapore left in 1965.⁵