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Location: 2 30 N, 112 30 E -- Southeastern Asia, peninsula and
northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and
the South China Sea, south of Vietnam

Flag
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Description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating
with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow
fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional
symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US

Geography
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Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of
the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea,
south of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area:
total area: 329,750 sq km
land area: 328,550 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries:
total: 2,669 km
border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km

Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia
2,607 km)

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;
specified boundary in the South China Sea
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the
Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and
possibly Brunei; State of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei
may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into
two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in
dispute with Indonesia

Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and
northeast (October to February) monsoons

Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kinabalu 4,100 m

Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore,
natural gas, bauxite

Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 10%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 63%
other: 24%

Irrigated land: 3,420 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular
emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation
natural hazards: flooding
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conserva