The Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia is one of the most diverse countries in the world. It is made up of 13 states and 3 federal territories, and is home to a variety of different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups. Despite its diversity, one thing that unites the people of Malaysia is their shared history and national identity. This shared identity has been shaped by the country’s long and varied history, so it is natural to wonder: how many years old is Malaysia?
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The Answer: Malaysia is 61 years old
Though Malaysia has a long and complex history, the answer to the question of how many years old is Malaysia is relatively simple. The modern country of Malaysia was officially established on September 16, 1963, when the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (now Sabah), and Sarawak united to form a single nation. This means that Malaysia is currently 61 years old.
A Brief History of Malaysia
To understand how Malaysia came to be, it is important to look at the history of the region before the formation of the modern nation. The Malay Peninsula has been inhabited for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that it was first settled by Austronesian-speaking peoples around 3,000 BC.
In the 15th century, the Malay Peninsula was divided into several powerful sultanates, such as the Sultanate of Malacca, the Sultanate of Selangor, and the Sultanate of Johor. These sultanates were often in conflict with each other, though they were occasionally united in the face of foreign invaders.
The British began to establish a presence in the region in the 18th century, and soon began to exert control over the sultanates. In 1895, the British united the Malay states under the name of the Federated Malay States, which was later renamed the Federation of Malaya in 1948.
In 1963, the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (now Sabah), and Sarawak united to form the modern nation of Malaysia. This marked the beginning of the modern nation of Malaysia and is the date that is generally used to determine the age of the country.
Malaysia’s Development Since Independence
Since gaining independence, Malaysia has made significant strides in economic and social development. In the early years of independence, the country was heavily reliant on the export of primary commodities such as rubber, tin, and palm oil.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the government shifted its focus to developing a manufacturing sector, which helped to diversify the economy and spur economic growth. Since then, the country has become increasingly diversified and is now considered to be an upper-middle-income economy.
Malaysia has also made significant progress in terms of social development. The country has achieved a high level of literacy, with more than 95% of the population aged 15 and above able to read and write. It has also made significant progress in improving the health and well-being of its citizens, with life expectancy increasing from 59.5 years in 1970 to 73.6 years in 2017.
Conclusion
Malaysia is a young and vibrant country with a long and complex history. Though it only officially became a nation in 1963, its history stretches back thousands of years. Today, the country is 61 years old, and has made significant progress in terms of economic and social development since gaining independence.