Geographical Location is Good, Ya!

Malaysia is a country of 28 million people located just north of the equator at 2° 30' North and 112° 30' East. It is situated in Southeast Asia and is politically part of the ASEAN community. Independent since 1957, Malaysia is currently a newly developing nation with its economy centered around light industries, mining, agriculture and tourism.Malaysian's rapid growth has indeed been fueled by its fortunate geographic location and many natural resources.

Regarding Malaysia's geographic location, the country is placed within the Equatorial belt with high humidity, hot temperatures and basically two seasons, the dry and wet seasons. Rainfall is plentiful and the soil is fertile. Malaysia is also fortunate as it is also protected from natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes or volcano eruptions. This environment has allowed for Malaysians to develop their skills in the manufacturing and agricultural sector.

The development of both the above sectors historically has been fueled because the country is situated at the mid-point of the trade routes. Trade, both domestic and international, has and is still playing a major role in the economy and allowing for a better standard of living for all Malaysians. Because of its diverse ethnic population, the country is able to garner talents from all over Asia to work in varying fields. In the past, the Chinese community was involved in mining, the Indians in the rubber industry while the native Malays were active in farming and fishing. Presently, more Malaysians are opting for professional jobs and there is a rapidly growing middle-class.

One of the areas in which Malaysia is prominent is in the field of software engineering and information technology. Most Malaysians are quite adept at making handicrafts and this tradition has been transferred into the making of computer chips, light manufacturing and the hospitality industry. Likewise, the oil palm and rubber plantations owe a debt to the diligence and vision of the nation's forefathers, the fertile soil and suitable climate. Another major contributor to the economy is the oil and gas industry. Malaysia is fortunate in that there are vast reserves of oil and natural gas trapped within the bedrock of its surrounding shores.

In conclusion, the geographical location of Malaysia places it in an ideal position to tap into its human, natural and agricultural resources. Coupled with climatic and cultural stability, it is poised to join the ranks of developing nations in the near future.