| "> | | | | include: the Sungai Pahang, the Rajang and the |
| Welcome to Malaysia- From Tourism to Economy! | | | | Kinabatangan. This land has about 23 million people. |
| Economics | | | | Kuala Lumpur is home to the country's capital. The |
| Did you know- From an economical perspective, | | | | English is the official language, but it has a large |
| Malaysia is one of the most industrialized countries on | | | | non-English speaking population. |
| the continent of Asia. By the 1970s and 1980s, the | | | | Sports |
| economy was highly developed and Malaysia boasted | | | | Did you know- The most popular sports are: soccer, |
| one of the highest economic growth rates on the | | | | badminton, basketball, golf, field hockey, and swimming. |
| planet. By that time, it expanded its educational system | | | | On the other hand, the 1998 Commonwealth Games |
| very fast. Unlike Latin America, from Cuba, Peru and | | | | were held in Malaysia, an Asian country renowned for |
| Venezuela to Bolivia and Argentina, the education, | | | | its sports facilities. Over 3,600 athletes from 70 |
| industry and minerals have transformed Malaysia into a | | | | countries and dependencies participated in the |
| middle-income country. Malaysia is one of Asia's | | | | Commonwealth Games, including Wales, Isle of Man, |
| richest places in minerals: tin, oil, gas, and iron, as well as | | | | Scotland and Northern Ireland. The national team won |
| copper, and bauxite. Tourism is growing rapidly since | | | | 63 medals ( 10 gold, 14 silver, and 12 bronze) and |
| the mid-1990s. In fact, Malaysia is a perfect place for | | | | finished fourth in the medal count. The best athletes |
| different types of tourism in Asia:ideal climate, isolated | | | | were: Wong Choong Hann (badminton), Sapok Biki |
| beaches, amazing islands,marine biodiversity, rich | | | | (boxing), Thye Chee Kiot (gymnastics), Bibiana Ng Pei |
| history, scenic landscapes, beautiful architecture, | | | | Chin (shooting), Lee Wan (badminton), Rosli Effandy |
| tropical biodiversity, and a modern capital city with | | | | (road bicycle racing), Matin Guntali (weightlifting) and |
| luxury accommodations. Finally, Malaysia has three | | | | Zainal Abidin Md Zain (shooting). |
| World Heritage Sites: | | | | Human Development |
| -Gunung Mulu National Park | | | | Did you know- Malaysia has a good quality of life. In |
| -Kinabalu Park | | | | the mid-1990s, the Asian country was ranked 57th out |
| -Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the | | | | of 174 nations and territories in the UN' s Human |
| Straits of Malacca | | | | Development Index. Two years on, Malaysia had |
| Independence | | | | finished 60. Once upon a time, it was one of the |
| Did you know- Malaysia gained its independence from | | | | poorest countries in Southeast Asia. |
| the United Kingdom in 1957. At the same time, it | | | | Malaysia & Miss Universe |
| became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. | | | | Did you know- On July 14, 1962 Malaysia made its Miss |
| Geography | | | | Universe debut when Sarah Alhabshee Abdullah |
| Did you know-Malaysia is located in southeast Asia, | | | | participated in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. From 1962 to |
| between the Kingdom of Thailand and Indonesia. It has | | | | 2009, the Asian nation has sent up to 44 delegates to |
| an area of 127300 square miles ( 330442 square | | | | Miss Universe. By 1970, the nation's contestant |
| kilometers). The nation is about the size of Austria | | | | Josephine Lena Wang Jaw Leng was one of the 15 |
| (32,378 sq. mi.), Bulgaria (42,800 sq. mi.), Lithuania | | | | semi-finalists. In addition, Josephine was named among |
| (25,200 sq. mi.), Slovakia (18,859 sq. mi.), and the | | | | the 10 best in swimsuit, along with Kristina Hanazalova |
| Netherlands (16,033 sq. mi.) combined. There are | | | | (Czechoslovakia), Debbie Shelton (USA), Jun Shimada |
| mountains - covers about half of the country's entire | | | | (Japan) and other delegates. In the next decades, |
| territory-valleys, islands, and tropical rainforests. These | | | | Michelle McLean, MU 1992, and Chelsy Smith, Miss |
| jungles are filled with wild animals such as tigers, | | | | USA and MU 1995, visited Kuala Lumpur, one of the |
| primates, orangutans and exotic birds. The major rivers | | | | most exciting metropolises in Asia. |