Map of the Federal States of Malysia

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Numbers and Facts

Area: 8.116 square miles

Inhabitants: 2.496.041 (2020), thereof 52% Malay, 29% Chinese, 11% Indian

Religions: 55% Muslim, 25% Buddhist, 11% Hindu, 4% Christian, 1% Non-Religious

Density of Population: 307 inh./sq.mi.

Capital: Ipoh, 657.892 inh. (2010)

Residency: Kuala Kangsar, 39.300 inh. (2016)

official Language: Malaysian

other Languages: Basa Ulu, Tamil, Chinese, English

Currency: Malaysian currency

Time Zone: GMT + 8 h

Source: Wikipedia (D), Wikipedia (EN)

History

7th–12th cent. · to the Shrividjaja Empire

15th cent. · to Siam (Thailand)

17th cent. · Perak comes under control of the Sultanate of Aceh

1826 · Great Britain conquers Pangkor Island, the possessions of the British East India Company become summarized to the "Straits Settlements"

1858 · the administration of the Straits Settlements becomes handed over to British India

1873 · the British declare Perak to an protectorate

1874 · Great Britain conquers the Dindings Peninsula, affiliated to the Straits Settlements

1895 · Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan become united to the "Federated Malay States" (to 1941)

1941 · Japanese conquest

1945 · withdrawal of the Japanese

01.04.1946 · formation of the Malay Union by confederation of the Malaysian Sultanates (British protectorates) and the Straits Settlements (British crown colonies), but without Singapore. The former Straits Settlements Dindings and Pangkor become directly incorporated to Perak.

1948 · re-organization of the Malaysian Union, creation of the Malaysian Federation under a British High Commissioner

31st of August 1957 · independence and proclamation of the Kingdom of Malaysian Federation

16th of September 1963 · proclamation of the Kingdom of Malaysia by confederation of the Malaysian Federation (Malaya) with the former British colonies Sarawak, Sabah (North Borneo) and Singapore. Brunei rejects the joining and remains at Great Britain

9th of August 1965 · Singapore leaves the Federation of Malaysia

Source: Atlas zur Geschichte, Wikipedia (D), Discovery '97, Weltgeschichte

Origin of the Country's Name

The origin of the country's name, which has been in use since 1529, is not known for certain. The most favoured origin is traced back to the Malay word for silver "Perak", which is associated with tin mining. Likewise, the possibility is mentioned that the name of the country could go back to the first Islamic ruler of the country from the Malacca dynasty. His name was Tun Perak. However, on some old maps, the country is called "Perat". The official name of the country is Arabic, Dār al-Ridwān, which means "Abode of Grace".

Source: Wikipedia (EN)