Malaysia

 


Read some interesting facts about Malaysia, then scroll down to enjoy our collection of flag printables - including jigsaw, bookmarks, notebooking pages, booklet and three sizes of flag to print - and our Malaysian flag colouring page.

Kuala Lumpur's urban landscape
Kuala Lumpur's urban landscape, with the Petronas twin towers in the background.  They are 452 metres tall and were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004. The skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors is the highest 2-story bridge in the world.

A Little Geography

  • Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia, is made up of of two regions, West and East Malaysia, divided by the South China Sea.
  • West Malaysia is south of Thailand and north of Singapore on the Malay Peninsula and comprises 11 states and 2 territories. Malaysia is linked to Singapore by a bridge and a causeway from Johor. Singapore was part of the Malaysia Federation between 1963 and 1965.
  • East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, comprises the Malay states of Sarawak and Sabah (and territory of Labuan). Sabah was once called British North Borneo. The country of Brunei and Indonesian Kalimantan are also on Borneo.
  • Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Malaysia and the 20th tallest in the World.

A Little History

  • The first people to live in Malaya were Stone Age hunter-gatherers. They arrived as early as 8,000 BC.
  • The Srivijaya ruled Malaysia from the 9th to the 13th centuries, followed by the Hindu Kingdom of Majapahit.
  • Melaka, once called Malacca, was a trading port where the first Sultan on the Malay Peninsula adopted Islam in 1430 CE.
  • The Portuguese were the first European settlers to arrive in 1511, followed by the Dutch in 1641 and then the British in 1795.
  • Malaysia was occupied by Japan during the Second World War, then following the war began to move towards independence.
  • Malaysia gained independence in 1963.

And Some Interesting Facts...

  • The local currency is called ringitt, meaning jagged, after the sharp edges of the Spanish silver dollars used during the Portuguese colonial period.
  • The Cameron Highlands were popular with British tea planters. The cool damp climate suited tea and reminded the British of home!
  • The capital, Kuala Lumpur, has a large Chinatown and an area called Little India, reflecting the large minority of Chinese or Indian descent.
  • The tallest flagpole in the world, in Independence Square, is 95 metres high.
  • Taman Negara National Park rainforest is 130 million years old. Tigers and elephants live in the pristine forest along with indigenous Batek people.
  • The worlds largest flower, Rafflesia arnoldia, is native to Malaysia. It grows up to 90 cm wide. It is a parasite growing on other plants, so has no roots or leaves. It also smells like decaying flesh, so is nicknamed the "corpse flower"!

Corpse flower, Malaysia (photo by Joel Villanueva)
Corpse flower, Malaysia (photo by Joel Villanueva, Creative Commons licence)

  • Sipadan Island is one of the world's top dive sites. At Barracuda Point hammerhead sharks and hawksbill turtles swim amongst colourful reef fish.

Barracudas at Barracuda Point, Sipadan, Malaysia by Barry Peters
Barracudas at Barracuda Point, Sipadan, Malaysia (photo by Barry Peters, Creative Commons licence)

  • Birds nest soup is made from bird saliva which has been collected from Gomantong Caves in Sarawak for hundreds of years.
  • Sarawak Chamber in Gunung Mulu Park, is the largest cave chamber in the world. It is long enough to fit 8 jumbo jets in a line!

The Malaysian Flag

Malaysia flag

The Malaysian flag features 14 alternating red and white stripes and a blue rectangle with a yellow crescent and a yellow  14-point star. The 14 stripes represent the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government, while the 14 points of the star represent the unity between these entities. The crescent represents Islam, the country's official religion; the blue rectangle symbolises the unity of the Malaysian people, and the yellow of the star and crescent is the royal colour of the Malay rulers.


Our Malaysia Resources

A Day In Malaysia Diary

A Day In Malaysia Diary

Growing up in Malaysia might be quite different from your own life! Do some research, then write a diary entry describing what it's like living there...

Climate Of Malaysia Worksheet

Climate Of Malaysia Worksheet

Most of us use weather apps these days to find out what the weather will be doing! Can the kids find out the current weather in Malaysia and fill in the information on our climate worksheet?

Culture In Malaysia

Culture In Malaysia Worksheet

There are many festivals every year in Malaysia. Find out about some of them and record your research on this useful worksheet, and also find out a little about the other aspects of culture in Malaysia such as art, music, sports and traditional costumes.

Design A Tourism Poster For Malaysia

Design A Tourism Poster For Malaysia

Design your own tourism poster for Malaysia with this fun printable. You might want to begin with a big, attractive image at the top to grab people’s attention, and try to write an eye-catching slogan too?

Food From Malaysia Worksheet

Food From Malaysia Worksheet

Find out about the different types of food grown and eaten in Malaysia, then draw a typical meal on the plate!

Introduction To Malaysia

Introduction To Malaysia

Our simple introduction to Malaysia is a great starting point if you're learning about the country, and you can also use it alongside some of our Malaysia activities and resources.

Malaysia Booklet

Malaysia Booklet

Print and fold this little booklet for your Malaysian studies - using the folding instructions here. We have a lined or a blank version available.

Malaysia Bookmarks

We have both colour and black and white versions of our Malaysia bookmarks - perfect for handing out in class, perhaps!

Malaysia Coat Of Arms Worksheet

Malaysia Coat Of Arms Worksheet

The splendid tigers really stand out on the coat of arms of Malaysia, but can the children find out when the coat of arms was awarded and the significance of the tigers and the other parts? For an extra challenge, they can try designing their own coat of arms using Worksheet 2.

Malaysia Compare And Contrast Worksheet

Malaysia Compare And Contrast Worksheet

This interesting worksheet asks the kids to compare their own daily life with that of a child growing up in Malaysia. How would things like the food they eat, their education and the games they play differ?

Malaysia Facts Poster

Malaysia Facts Poster

This simple but colourful facts poster is an easy way to teach the kids a few key facts about Malaysia!

Malaysia Factsheet

Malaysia Factsheet

Print out our handy Malaysia factsheet and use it displays or in a folder or lapbook.

Malaysia Flag Printable

Malaysia Flag Printable

We have three versions of the Malaysian flag to download and print to suit all sorts of projects.

Malaysia Location Worksheet

Malaysia Location Worksheet

This simple worksheet asks children to locate Malaysia on our simplified map of Asia, and write down the capital city.​

Malaysia National Flower Colouring Page

Malaysia National Flower Colouring Page

The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia, and the pretty trumpet-shaped flowers of this lovely plant are ready to be coloured in on our gorgeous colouring page.

Malaysia Notebooking Page

Malaysia Notebooking Page

Write about Malaysia on our notebooking page - choosing from two versions below. Notebooking page 1 has space for a map, illustration or photo.

Malaysia On Map Of Asia

Malaysia On Map Of Asia

Malaysia is marked in red on this useful outline map of Asia. Children can see its size relative to other Asian countries, and identify its neighbours too.

Malaysia Picture Gallery

Malaysia Picture Gallery

Draw five pictures of things you might find in Malaysia in the picture frames on this fun printable, or cut and paste some pictures from magazines or printouts.

Malaysia Postcard 1

Malaysia Postcard 1

Can you imagine what it would be like to visit Malaysia and see this fantastic city skyline? Write a postcard to someone back home all about it...

Malaysia Postcard 2

Malaysia Postcard 2

What will the kids choose to draw on this postcard for Malaysia? Simply print, cut out, fold in half then stick into place and they're ready to start their postcard picture...

Malaysia Poster 1

Malaysia Poster 1

This fabulous poster features a nighttime view of the Petronas Twin Towers, skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Malaysia Poster 2

Malaysia Poster 2

There are two major parts of Malaysia, and we've filled the outline of these islands with the Malaysian national flag to create a visually appealing poster!

Malaysia Story Paper

Malaysia Story Paper

The stunning night view on this Malaysia story paper is the perfect setting for a story! Or use it to record some of your research on Malaysia if you prefer...

Malaysia Study Pack

Malaysia Study Pack

We've got 25 pages of activities about Malaysia in this study pack. Some of the activities are quite challenging and ideal for older kids, and others are more simple and creative - there's something for all ages and abilities!

Malaysia Tourist Leaflet

Malaysia Tourist Leaflet

This writing prompt is a 3 fold leaflet - just print and fold on the dotted lines. Children need to do a little research to write a tourist leaflet all about Malaysia...

Malaysia Travel Brochure Worksheet

Malaysia Travel Brochure Worksheet

This Malaysia travel brochure worksheet is a fun activity to get the kids practising descriptive and persuasive writing! Can they write some content for a travel brochure encouraging people to visit Malaysia and draw a picture too?

Malaysia Word Search

Malaysia Word Search

There are 'tigers' and 'elephants' to find in this Malaysia word search, along with 13 other words to do with this Asian country.

Malaysia Worksheet

Malaysia Worksheet

One of two "fact" worksheets on Malaysia, this one is a little more freeform and allows children to do their own research, then write about what they have learned. There's also a location activity.

Packing For Malaysia Worksheet

Packing For Malaysia Worksheet

Here's an empty suitcase, ready to pack with everything you need for a week in Malaysia. You might want to think carefully about what you would do there, any potential dangers and the climate...

Wildlife Of Malaysia Worksheet

Wildlife Of Malaysia Worksheet

The Malayan Tiger is Malaysia’s national animal, but there are plenty of other exotic species of wildlife to be found in this diverse country! Do some research on Malaysian wildlife, then fill in the worksheet with notes, drawings or cut and paste some pictures.

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