Mapping the World

Malaysia: The Malacca Stakes

Malaysia is a country with a particular geography since it is cut in two: on one side the Malay peninsula, on the other the island of Borneo which it shares with Indonesia and Brunei. But Malaysia is distinguished above all by its control of the famous Strait of Malacca, at the crossroads of the Indian and Pacific Oceans; at the heart of international trade. A mandatory crossing point between China and India, Malaysia has been the object of much covetousness throughout its history: Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, British and Chinese have all sought to make a place for themselves there. Having become independent in 1957, Malaysia experienced strong growth from the 1990s until becoming a key player in the region.