Capital of Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia sits in Asia, has a population of 33,938,221, and uses the MYR. Official languages include Malay.
Quick facts
- Capital: Kuala Lumpur
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~33,938,221
- Area: 330,803 km²
- Population density: 103 people per km²
- Official language: Malay
- Currency: MYR
- ISO code: MY
How big is Malaysia?
By population, Malaysia ranks 45th in the world, holding roughly 0.43% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 67th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Malaysia has 103 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Malaysia is the 18th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Malaysia in population are Peru (34,049,588) and Yemen (33,696,614).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Vietnam (331,212 km²) and Finland (338,424 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Malay is spoken officially in 3 countries in this dataset, including Brunei and Singapore.
Malaysia uses the MYR, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, or KL, is the capital, while many government offices are in Putrajaya nearby. KL grew up where the Gombak and Klang rivers meet. The flag looks a little like the US flag, but with a yellow moon and star in the blue corner.
The flag of Malaysia: red, white, blue and yellow
🇲🇾 The flag is 14 red and white horizontal stripes, with a dark blue corner holding a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star. The flag is called Jalur Gemilang, 'Stripes of Glory'. The 14 stripes and the 14 points of the star stand for the 13 states and the federal government, the crescent is a symbol of Islam, and yellow is the royal colour.
Region and neighbours
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia in two parts, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, separated by the South China Sea. It shares land borders with 3 countries: Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei.
- Thailand 🇹🇭 — capital Bangkok
- Indonesia 🇮🇩 — capital Jakarta
- Brunei 🇧🇳 — capital Bandar Seri Begawan
Three facts about Malaysia
- The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004.
- Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, about 4,095 m high, is Malaysia's highest mountain, and Kinabalu Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Malaysia is made up of 13 states and three federal territories.
Sources: Wikipedia: Malaysia, Wikipedia: Flag of Malaysia, Wikipedia: Kuala Lumpur, Wikipedia: Petronas Towers, Wikipedia: Kinabalu Park, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Malaysia
- Asian capitals quiz — match Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Malaysia flag among its neighbours
Malaysia capital quiz
What is the capital of Malaysia 🇲🇾?
- Abu Dhabi
- Jakarta
- Kuala Lumpur
- Bishkek
Show answer
Kuala Lumpur
What is the capital of Yemen 🇾🇪?
- Sana'a
- Baghdad
- Ashgabat
- Damascus
Show answer
Sana'a
What is the capital of Uzbekistan 🇺🇿?
- Bangkok
- Bishkek
- Kabul
- Tashkent
Show answer
Tashkent
What is the capital of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦?
- Riyadh
- Jerusalem
- Hanoi
- Manama
Show answer
Riyadh
What is the capital of Nepal 🇳🇵?
- Yerevan
- Tbilisi
- Kathmandu
- Jakarta
Show answer
Kathmandu
Malaysia capital quiz tip
Kuala Lumpur is the official capital and seat of parliament and the king. Putrajaya is the administrative capital, where most ministries sit, so a tricky quiz may use it as a distractor.
Malaysia is also in the Southeast Asia capitals quiz.
Malaysia in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Malaysia belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Malaysia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Malaysia?
The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur.
Is Putrajaya the capital of Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur is the official capital. Putrajaya is the administrative and judicial centre, where most government ministries are based.
What is the population of Malaysia?
About 33,938,221, making it the 45th most populous country in the world.
How big is Malaysia?
330,803 square kilometres, ranking 67th by land area, at a density of 103 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Malaysia use?
The MYR, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Malaysia flag?
The flag of Malaysia is 14 red and white horizontal stripes, with a dark blue corner holding a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star. The flag is called Jalur Gemilang, 'Stripes of Glory'. The 14 stripes and the 14 points of the star stand for the 13 states and the federal government, the crescent is a symbol of Islam, and yellow is the royal colour.
Which countries border Malaysia?
Malaysia shares land borders with Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei.
How can I remember the capital of Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur, or KL, is the capital, while many government offices are in Putrajaya nearby. KL grew up where the Gombak and Klang rivers meet. The flag looks a little like the US flag, but with a yellow moon and star in the blue corner.
More capitals to learn
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