wales wales welsh country united_kingdom located island great_britain bordered england east irish sea north west bristol channel south population total area km2 wales miles coastline largely mountainous higher peaks north central areas including highest summit country lies north temperate zone maritime climate welsh national identity emerged celtic roman withdrawal britain 5th century wales regarded modern celtic nations death marked completion edward england conquest wales briefly restored independence wales early 15th century wales annexed england incorporated english legal system laws wales acts distinctive welsh politics developed 19th century welsh exemplified early 20th century lloyd george displaced growth socialism labour_party welsh national feeling grew century formed welsh language society established government wales act national assembly wales holds responsibility range policy matters dawn industrial revolution development mining industries transformed country agricultural society industrial nation south wales exploitation caused rapid expansion wales population thirds population live south wales mainly cardiff capital newport nearby valleys country traditional heavy industries gone decline wales economy depends public sector light service industries tourism wales gross value added billion head average lowest head britain wales closely shares political social history rest great_britain vast majority population speaks english country retained distinct cultural identity officially bilingual welsh language speakers live wales language spoken majority population parts north west late 19th century onwards wales acquired popular image land song tradition international sporting events world cup rugby world cup commonwealth games wales national teams olympic games welsh athletes compete great_britain team rugby union seen symbol welsh identity expression national consciousness etymology english words wales welsh derive root singular derived celtic tribe known romans came refer later inhabitants roman empire old english speaking anglo came use term referring celtic particular referring lands modern names continental european lands wallonia peoples borrowing old church similar etymology historically britain words restricted modern wales welsh refer anglo associated including non territories britain cornwall territories particularly associated celtic county durham west yorkshire items associated non europeans modern welsh welsh wales words pronounced descended word meaning fellow use word self designation derives post roman era relationship welsh speaking peoples northern england southern scotland peoples english old north emphasised perception welsh men north people different peoples particular term applied peoples similar heritage culture language welsh men north word came use self description probably 7th century attested praise poem welsh literature word middle ages describe welsh older generic term continued describe peoples including welsh common literary term prevailed reference welsh word regardless referred people homeland forms names survive lesser alternative names wales welsh welsh people examples include mountains cover wales gave geological period newspaper news organisations railways archaeological association royal academy art outside wales related form survives north west england language thought closely related welsh spoken area extinct 12th century form appears times literary references character described eponymous king history prehistoric origins wales inhabited modern humans years continuous human dates end ice age years present hunter central europe began migrate great_britain time sea levels lower today shallower parts north_sea dry land east_coast present day england coasts present day denmark germany netherlands connected known forming british peninsula european mainland wales free glaciers warmer climate allowing area heavily wooded post glacial rise sea level separated wales ireland forming irish sea submerged north_sea british peninsula island beginning sea levels bristol channel feet metres lower today john davies story drowning tales waters wales ireland narrower shallower distant folk memories time colonists integrated indigenous people gradually changing lifestyles nomadic life hunting gathering settled farmers revolution cleared forests establish pasture land developed new technologies textile production built long common people living great_britain following centuries people living known wales immigrants exchanged ideas bronze age iron age celtic cultures according john wales late bronze age maritime trading culture included celtic nations england france spain portugal celtic languages developed view called atlantic celtic stands view celtic languages origins east culture time roman invasion britain area modern wales divided tribes centuries roman era roman conquest wales began took years complete roman rule lasted years campaigns conquest widely known feature wales roman era spirited ultimately unsuccessful defence native tribes roman rule wales military occupation save southern coastal region south wales east peninsula legacy town wales founded romans south east wales southern wales roman wales rich mineral wealth romans engineering technology extract large amounts gold copper lead modest amounts metals silver roman economic development concentrated south eastern britain significant industries located wales largely matter wales necessary materials suitable combination forested mountainous countryside latin official language wales people tended continue speak far complete upper classes wales began consider roman particularly ruling granted roman citizenship free men empire roman influence came spread christianity gained followers christians allowed worship freely state persecution ceased 4th century result constantine issuing early historians including 6th century noted significant point welsh history stated literature foundation point medieval royal year roman general stripped western northern britain troops senior administrators launch successful bid imperial power continuing rule britain emperor writing says departed britain taking roman troops armed bands governors flower youth return having left troops roman administrators planning continue ruler britain future practical course transfer local authority local rulers earliest welsh role founding father royal including transfer power given rise belief father welsh nation given ancestor welsh king pillar erected nearly years left britain figures lists tribes wales post roman era year period following collapse roman rule difficult interpret history wales roman departure britain britain east south east overrun peoples extensive studies distribution dna previously maintained native displaced invaders idea discarded face evidence population mainly latest era origins probably late earliest origins little contribution anglo saxon source areas land wales divided number kingdoms free anglo saxon rule kingdoms emerged independent welsh successor states archaeological evidence low countries england shows early anglo saxon migration great_britain reversed chronicles john davies notes consistent british victory hill attributed arthur survival descendants western kingdoms foundation know wales loss england kingdoms later wrestled define frontier peoples having lost west 6th early 7th centuries late seventh century checked advancement looking defend recently acquired lands built according john davies king agreement boundary extending north valley river estuary gave theory carbon dating placed existence years earlier built post roman rulers king continued initiative created larger known davies wrote fox study planning degree consultation kings long mountain near east leaving fertile slopes hands welsh near designed ensure retained possession fortress built eastern crest gorge clearly intention recognizing river traffic belonged kingdom fox interpretations length purpose questioned recent research largely remained frontier welsh english welsh recover 12th century area known 8th century eastern borders anglo broadly set raided defeated killed leader wales later peace allied occupying conquer north alliance later broke came agreement alfred king fought west welsh according came angles laid waste medieval wales southern eastern parts great_britain lost english settlement known welsh modern welsh referred kingdom originally came refer england tribes dominated lands invariably called meaning anglo called british meaning stranger welsh continued middle ages written evidence use found praise poem believed written words times anglo saxon settlement onwards people gradually begin adopt onwards series marriages led inheritance sons turn found principal grandson founded maternal paternal ousted dynasty codified welsh law grandson temporarily line control great grandson daughter princess conquer cousins realms base extend authority england historian john davies states welsh king rule entire territory wales death wales recognised seven brief years wales ruler feat precedent successor line welsh ruler use title prince welsh title substance given victory mountains according john davies years battle hastings england completely william england established series allocated powerful warriors welsh border boundaries fixed east frontier region english held wales known welsh marches lords subject english welsh law area march varied fortunes lords welsh princes flowed march wales existed years abolished acts union grandson great concessions receiving welsh lords council prince wales grandson secured recognition title prince wales henry iii treaty montgomery later succession disputes including imprisonment wife eleanor daughter simon culminated invasion king edward england result military defeat treaty england peace short lived conquest rule welsh princes permanently ended death brother prince execution remaining welsh lords homage lands edward head carried london spear baby daughter locked remained death years later help maintain dominance edward constructed series great stone castles son future king edward england born edward new castle english prince wales infant story edward tricked welsh offering welsh born prince speak english recorded title provided income north west wales known wales act union term associated wales failed revolt styled prince wales document rising major uprising led henry england crowned prince wales presence france spain scotland went hold parliamentary assemblies welsh towns including rebellion failed went hiding peace essentially restored wales statute provided constitutional basis post conquest government north wales formal union shortly welsh law continued wales norman conquest fully replaced english law known act union industrial wales prior british industrial revolution saw rapid economic expansion signs small scale industries scattered wales ranged industries connected agriculture manufacture mining industrial revolution wales reliant agricultural output wealth employment earliest industrial businesses small scale manner emerging industrial period commenced development copper area access local coal deposits harbour advantage cornwall copper mines copper deposits extracted largest copper world mountain developed world major centre non metal 19th century second metal industry expand wales iron iron manufacturing prevalent north south country north wales john significant industry south second world centre founded plymouth significant hub iron manufacture wales 1820s south wales accounted pig iron manufactured britain late 18th century slate began expand rapidly notably north wales quarry opened richard pennant employing men late 19th century quarry dominated welsh slate trade slate described welsh welsh industries coal mining single industry synonymous wales people initially coal exploited provide energy local metal industries opening canal systems later railways welsh coal mining saw boom demand south wales exploited mainly valleys later ports cardiff later grew world coal came population boom height wales producing million tons coal south wales significant north east country particularly wales reliant production capital goods consumer goods possessed skilled found workshops birmingham sheffield england factories producing finished goods key feature regions associated industrial revolution increasing support industrial revolution reliant energy materials provided wales sense wales central importance modern wales historian kenneth morgan described wales eve world war relatively self confident successful nation output continued increase valley recording peak million tons coal extracted outbreak world war saw wales united_kingdom enter hostilities germany total served war representing male population roughly killed notable battles war include welsh forces wood battle quarter 20th century saw shift political landscape wales liberal party held parliamentary majority wales following general election non liberal member parliament represented welsh constituency westminster industrial political begun undermine liberal consensus southern david lloyd george prime minister britain head coalition government december lloyd george elected head conservative dominated coalition government poor handling strike key factor destroying support liberal party south wales industrial workers wales began shifting new political organisation established ensure elected representation working class called labour_party miners federation great_britain affiliated labour_party labour candidates sponsored miners elected mps half welsh seats westminster held labour politicians start labour dominate wales 21st century economic growth decades 20th century wales staple industries endured prolonged slump early 1920s late 1930s leading widespread unemployment poverty south wales valleys time centuries population wales went decline unemployment relented production demands second world war second world war saw welsh servicemen women fight major theatres war killed bombing raids brought major loss life german air_force targeted docks cardiff welsh aged sent work coal mines labour shortages known boys numbers world wars fairly low especially second world war seen fight political parties active wales took neutral stance grounds war 20th century saw revival welsh national feeling formed seeking greater autonomy independence rest term england wales common describing area english law applied cardiff proclaimed capital city wales welsh language society formed response fears language soon die nationalist sentiment grew following flooding valley create reservoir supplying water english city liverpool despite welsh mps voting bill parliament passed bill village submerged highlighting wales affairs face numerical superiority english mps westminster parliament free wales army welsh defence movement abbreviated mac formed direct result destruction conducting campaigns years leading prince charles prince wales groups responsible number bomb destroying water pipes tax offices dam new reservoir project built supply water english parliamentary seat won evans election parliamentary seat following year wales act repealed legal definition wales boundary england stated end 1960s regional policy bringing firms areas wales financial incentives proven successful industrial economy policy begun enhanced construction industrial estates improvements transport communications notably motorway linking south wales directly london believed foundations stable economic growth firmly established wales period view shown wildly optimistic recession early 1980s saw collapse manufacturing base built preceding years referendum welsh electorate voted creation assembly wales resulted large majority vote referendum issue secured yes narrow majority national assembly wales set government wales act power determine central government budget wales spent administered parliament reserves right set limits powers welsh assembly governments united_kingdom wales invariably define wales country welsh government says wales joined england land great_britain wales country right title prince wales conferred heir apparent british throne currently prince charles prince wales constitutional role modern wales according welsh government prince wales moment prince charles present heir throne role governance wales title suggest government politics wales country united_kingdom state parliament government westminster house_of_commons lower house government wales represented mps welsh labour mps hold seats liberal democrats hold seats conservatives secretary state wales sits cabinet responsible representing matters pertaining wales wales office department united_kingdom government responsible wales secretary state wales march held wales scotland chose establish form self government countries wales consequent process began government wales act created national assembly wales welsh powers secretary state wales transferred government july granting assembly power decide westminster government budget areas spent administered act amended government wales act enhanced assembly powers giving legislative powers akin scottish parliament northern_ireland assembly assembly members known assembly members members elected year terms additional member system represent geographical elected past post system remaining represent electoral regions including seven method proportional representation assembly elect minister ministers form welsh government labour remained largest assembly party following election winning seats having insufficient support form government labour_party entered wales agreement forming coalition labour leader minister jones minister leader welsh labour morgan retired office december years months minister jones deputy minister coalition government leader second largest party assembly seats wales agreement referendum giving welsh assembly law making powers promised soon end assembly term parties agreed good faith campaign successful outcome referendum welsh labour remained largest party assembly following national assembly wales election winning seats parties represented assembly welsh conservatives loyal opposition seats seats welsh liberal democrats seats jones remained minister following election time leading welsh labour ministerial team presiding officer assembly butler welsh labour areas responsibility welsh government known subjects include agriculture economic development education health housing local government social services tourism transport welsh language creation national assembly wales primary legislative powers government wales act came effect assembly power pass primary legislation assembly measures specific matters areas responsibility matters added subsequently directly parliament parliament approving legislative order request national assembly additional powers allows assembly gain primary powers extensive range matters areas approved referendum referendum extending law making powers national assembly accordingly held march asked question want assembly able laws matters subject areas powers voters voted yes voted consequently assembly able laws known acts assembly matters subject areas needing parliament agreement wales distinct electoral region european_union represented members european parliament local government purposes local government wales divided council areas principal areas responsible provision local government services including education social work environment roads services note wales cities addition cardiff newport communities city status united_kingdom law order tradition welsh law compiled assembly held circa king wales death law welsh known codified previously existing folk laws legal customs evolved wales centuries welsh law emphasised payment compensation crime victim victim punishment ruler marches law imposed lords welsh law remained force wales statute edward england annexed wales following death welsh law replaced criminal cases statute law welsh law civil cases remained force henry_viii england annexed wales laws wales acts referred acts union english law applied wales wales act provided laws applied england automatically apply wales anglo scottish border town law explicitly stated act regard wales repealed english law legal system wales england continues albeit growing body contemporary welsh law wales english law regarded common law system major law legal binding opposed court system headed supreme_court united_kingdom highest court appeal land criminal civil cases senior courts england wales highest court instance court divisions court appeal high_court justice crown court minor cases heard courts county court wales region known wales circuit came end attached north western england region point wales legal unit right remains single jurisdiction england wales welsh assembly authority draft approve laws outside parliamentary system meet specific needs wales powers approved referendum held march able pass primary legislation known acts assembly relation subjects listed government wales act health education primary legislation welsh government draft specific secondary legislation wales served regional police forces police police north wales police south wales police prisons wales southern half country northern provision welsh prisoners wales women prisons female inmates imprisoned england geography natural history wales generally mountainous country western central southern great_britain miles north south miles east west quoted size wales km2 wales bordered england east sea directions irish sea north west george channel celtic sea southwest bristol channel south wales miles coastline mean high water mark including mainland islands lie welsh mainland largest north west wales diverse landscape mountainous particularly north central regions mountains shaped ice age highest mountains wales highest welsh mountains including discounted low prominence feet metres high known collectively welsh located small area north west highest outside metres feet south south highest point pen fan metres feet joined mountains mid wales highest point metres feet wales national parks coast areas outstanding natural beauty range valley peninsula peninsula valley peninsula area united_kingdom designated area outstanding natural beauty percent coastline south west wales designated heritage coast specific designated strips coastline maintained natural resources wales successor body countryside council wales coastline wales blue flag beaches blue flag despite heritage award winning beaches south west coasts wales irish coasts frequently atlantic south years sunk wrecked vessels night october ships destroyed coast wales hurricane blew atlantic lives lost britain storm greatest tragedy sinking royal charter coast people died number coast wales reached peak 19th century vessels lost average loss life sailors year wartime action caused losses near haven offshore rocks islands notorious notably sea empress oil spill border wales england apart river accepted boundary supposed form early distinct line thwarted reclaimed land act union formed linear border stretching mouth mouth act union borders remained vague welsh sunday closing act forced local businesses decide country fell accept welsh english law seven wonders wales list verse seven geographic cultural landmarks wales probably composed late 18th century influence tourism england wonders north wales highest mountain bells bells medieval church saints bridge built river pilgrimage site 16th century tower church trees ancient trees churchyard mary tall wonders rhyme mountain people trees wells bridge bells geology earliest geological period era takes mountains identified remnants evolutionary studies period major groups complex animals appeared explosion older rocks underlying rocks wales lacked fossils differentiate groups referred pre mid-19th century prominent adam proposed period independently studies geology wales establish certain principles periods era named ancient celtic tribes area based work climate wales lies north temperate zone maritime climate countries europe welsh weather cloudy wet warm summers mild winters long summer days short winter days result wales northerly latitudes country west_coast nearly hours daylight summer daylight falls seven half hours country wide geographic variations cause differences sunshine rainfall temperature average annual coastal temperatures reach low lying inland areas lower cooler higher altitudes annual temperatures decrease average approximately metres feet altitude consequently higher parts experience average annual temperatures temperatures wales remain higher expected latitude north_atlantic drift branch gulf stream ocean current bringing warmer water northerly latitudes similar effect north west europe influence wales coastal areas air warmed gulf stream blows inland prevailing winds low elevations summers tend warm sunny average maximum temperatures range winters tend fairly wet rainfall rarely excessive temperature usually stays freezing spring autumn feel similar temperatures tend stay average annual daytime temperature time year tends august south western coast wales averaging hours sunshine annually wales town time year tends november january sunny areas mountains parts average hours sunshine annually prevailing wind south westerly coastal areas occur winter average days year depending location inland average fewer days annually rainfall patterns significant variation west higher expected rainfall low elevations rain unpredictable time year showers tend shorter summer wales rain normally days rain winter months december february falling rainy days summer months june august annual rainfall averages millimetres millimetres summit likelihood fall snow temperature falls snow tends lying ground average days year snow falls times winter inland areas relatively uncommon coast average annual rainfall areas millimetres met office statistics city great_britain average annual rainfall millimetres led old head going rain cardiff great_britain fifth city millimetres wales town average annual rainfall millimetres highest maximum temperature bridge august lowest minimum temperature january maximum number hours sunshine month hours fort july minimum number hours sunshine month hours january maximum rainfall day utc utc millimetres november spot average millimetres rain year making spot united_kingdom flora fauna wales wildlife typical britain long coastline wales hosts variety coasts surrounding islands home colonies comparison wales country supports variety habitat birds including raven ring birds prey include red national symbol welsh wildlife total different species bird seen reserve including seasonal visitors larger welsh mammals died norman period including brown bear wolf today mammals note include species bat species small yellow mouse special welsh note found historically border area animals note include pine occasional sighting officially recorded 1950s nearly driven extinction britain hung wales rapidly spreading feral goats found waters south west wales bay attract marine animals including sharks atlantic grey seals turtles crabs particular recognised area international importance new summer residence river fish note include salmon arctic whilst unique wales found lake wales known including herring common country north facing high grounds support pre glacial flora including iconic lily alpine species wales hosts number plant species found including spotted rock rose economy years wales transformed predominantly agricultural country industrial post industrial economy second world war service sector come account majority jobs feature advanced economies total headline gross value added wales billion head population cent average total lowest head months july employment rate working age adults wales cent compared cent middle 19th century post war era mining export coal dominant industry peak production nearly men women employed south wales mining million tons coal cardiff largest coal port world years world war handled greater cargo london liverpool 1920s male welsh population worked heavy industry according professor williams great depression devastated wales north south overwhelming dependence coal steel mid-1970s welsh economy faced massive restructuring large numbers jobs traditional heavy industry disappearing replaced eventually new ones light industry services late 1970s early 1980s wales successful attracting average share foreign direct investment new industry essentially branch factory factory type manufacturing plant centre located wales highly paid jobs company retained poor quality soil wales unsuitable crop growing livestock farming traditionally focus agriculture welsh landscape protected national parks blue flag beaches unique culture wales attract large numbers tourists play especially vital role economy rural areas wales struggled develop attract high value added employment sectors finance research development comparative lack economic mass population wales lacks large metropolitan centre lack high value added employment reflected lower economic output head relative regions stood average average june wales history nation world awarded status pound sterling currency wales numerous welsh banks issued 19th century bank closed banks scotland northern_ireland continue right issue countries bank england monopoly issue wales commercial bank wales established cardiff sir julian taken bank scotland absorbed parent company royal mint issue circulated based single site coins circulation depicted welsh design pound coin wales represented coin transport main road south wales coast motorway provides link southern england terminating london section motorway managed welsh government runs second crossing connecting cities newport cardiff expressway similar role north wales coast connecting links north west england principally chester main north south wales link runs cardiff cardiff international airport large international airport wales providing links european african north american destinations miles southwest cardiff city centre wales flights run valley cardiff operated isle man airline internal flights operate northern england scotland northern_ireland welsh government manages parts british railway network wales cardiff central wales busiest railway station times passenger traffic station wales cardiff region urban rail network cuts 1960s mean remaining network geared east west travel connecting irish sea ports ferries ireland services north south wales operate english towns chester welsh marches line trains wales diesel powered lines electrified south wales main line branch great western main line services london cardiff undergoing electrification wales commercial ferry ports regular ferry services ireland operate service cancelled reinstated march threat closure education distinct education system developed wales formal education 18th century preserve elite grammar schools established welsh towns successful schooling systems started jones introduced circulating schools believed taught half country population read 19th century increasing state involvement education wales forced adopt education system english country predominantly non welsh speaking uneven economic expansion south schools ensure welsh children spoke english school welsh policy seen hated symbol english oppression piece wood hung round neck string given child speaking welsh pass different child speaking welsh end day beaten extent practice difficult determine state local governmental resulted schooling english language following blue books seen academic worthwhile children university college wales opened cardiff followed colleges came form university wales welsh intermediate education act created secondary schools welsh department board education followed gave wales significant educational resurgence welsh language schools half 20th century nursery primary level saw attitudes shift teaching medium welsh schools english language welsh compulsory subject age welsh language college university wales start 21st century academic staff teaching medium welsh nursery primary secondary comprehensive special schools independent schools wales country pupils taught teachers healthcare public healthcare wales provided wales gig originally formed structure england wales created national health service act powers wales coming secretary state wales turn responsibility wales passed welsh assembly executive historically wales served smaller cottage hospitals built voluntary institutions newer expensive techniques treatments available medical advancement clinical work country concentrated newer larger district hospitals seventeen district hospitals wales situated wales provides public healthcare wales employs staff making wales biggest employer minister health social services person welsh government holds cabinet responsibilities health social care wales welsh health survey conducted welsh assembly reported adults reported health good excellent described health fair poor survey recorded welsh adults long term chronic illness diabetes heart disease health related lifestyle choices report adult population admit drinking alcohol recommended guidelines week undertake recommended weekly physical activity census showed wales population highest history total population wales born wales including people total population wales born england main population industrial areas south wales including cities cardiff newport nearby valleys significant population north east according census population white british non white mainly british asian origin non white groups concentrated cardiff newport welsh asian african communities developed mainly immigration second world war early 21st century parts wales saw increased number immigrants settle recent accession countries poland study showed relatively low number employed immigrant workers eastern countries wales compared regions united_kingdom census criticised wales offering welsh option describe respondents national identity partly address concern census asked question describe national identity respondents instructed apply list options included welsh outcome wales population indicated sole national identity welsh indicated welsh british welsh national identity indicated proportion giving sole national identity british included british national identity british national identity indicated indicated sole national identity english included english national identity census showed wales diverse region england wales population classed white british including welsh english scottish northern irish white including irish asian including asian british mixed black african caribbean black british lowest proportion white british cardiff quarter welsh population born outside wales mainly england born outside proportion people born wales differs country highest south wales valleys lowest mid wales parts north east welsh born compared border counties million americans report welsh ancestry canadians canada census total fertility rate wales replacement rate majority unmarried women outside marriage percent foreign born mothers compared study estimated welsh population welsh origin english scottish population bore welsh names modern derived old welsh personal names actually arose england languages work edward keeper museum noted similarity celtic language families celtic welsh celtic irish scottish argued languages originated france languages originated peninsula concluded languages celtic origin people spoke languages according recent hypothesis widely embraced today languages collectively known celtic languages evolved time separately continental celtic languages 18th century peoples brittany cornwall ireland isle man scotland wales known increasingly regarded modern celtic nations today bible translations welsh helped maintain use welsh daily life new testament translated william followed complete bible william morgan welsh language act government wales act provide english welsh languages treated basis equality english spoken people wales facto main language code switching common parts wales known terms recognised professional welsh english language dialect influenced significantly welsh grammar includes words derived welsh according john davies object far greater prejudice suffered welsh northern western wales retain areas welsh spoken language majority population english learnt second language census showed people welsh population able speak welsh decrease returned census young children continues life long welsh recognised thing past road signs wales generally english welsh place names differ languages versions cardiff decision placed local authority 20th century number small communities speakers languages welsh english established wales result immigration religion largest religion wales christianity population describing christian census church wales adherents largest attendance denominations province anglican communion church_of_england welsh church act independent church wales founded william presbyterian church wales born welsh methodist revival 18th century church_of_england second largest attending faith wales roman catholic estimated adherents non christian religions small wales making approximately population census recorded people declaring religion reply question patron saint wales saint david saint david day celebrated annually march religious revival known welsh revival simply revival started roberts saw large numbers people converting anglican christianity communities roberts style preaching blueprint new religious bodies church church holds annual conference year usually august islam largest non christian religion wales reported muslims census street cardiff accepted mosque united_kingdom founded sailors trips cardiff docks communities mainly south wales cities newport cardiff largest concentration western rural county judaism non christian faith established wales roman times community declined approximately culture wales distinctive culture including language customs holidays music wales world heritage sites castles town walls king edward industrial landscape mythology remnants native celtic mythology pre christian passed altered form early poets work survives later medieval welsh manuscripts known black book book 13th century book white book 14th century red book prose stories white red books known title given translator lady charlotte guest subsequent poems battle trees list texts like welsh thirteen treasures island britain contain mythological material texts include earliest forms legend traditional history post roman britain sources welsh folklore include 9th century latin historical compilation history 12th century latin chronicle history kings britain later folklore welsh fairy book thomas literature wales wales claim oldest literary traditions europe literary tradition wales stretches sixth century includes wales regarded historian john davies finest latin authors middle ages earliest body welsh verse poets survive original form medieval versions undergone significant linguistic changes welsh poetry native lore learning survived dark ages era poets princes poets gentry poets princes professional poets composed welsh princes poets gentry school poets favoured metre period notable producing wales greatest poets gentry tradition declined despite extinction professional poet integration native elite wider cultural world bring literary benefits william john davies brought renaissance ideals english universities returned wales william morgan person translate bible welsh greek hebrew 16th century onwards free metre verse important development welsh poetry middle 17th century host imported metres england popular 19th century creation welsh epic obsession welsh language writers output period prolific quantity unequal quality initially religious denominations time bodies came dominate competitions themes increasingly period notable adoption welsh poets names popular movement major developments 19th century welsh literature include lady charlotte guest translation important medieval welsh prose tales celtic mythology english saw publication lewis daniel owen credited novel written welsh language 20th century experienced important shift away long victorian welsh prose thomas jones leading way work arthur slaughter trenches world war profound effect welsh literature style prose championed williams williams south wales saw shift likes williams poetry metre rural wales context industrial landscape inter war period dominated lewis political views plays poetry criticism careers 1930s writers continued world war including thomas thomas famous work milk wood broadcast thomas notable popular welsh writers 20th century innovative poets time thomas voice english speaking welsh valleys humorous grim lives attitude post war generation welsh writers english wales differs previous generation sympathetic welsh nationalism welsh language change linked nationalist generated lewis burning bombing school peninsula sense crisis generated world war poetry thomas important figure second half twentieth century learn welsh language wrote poems english wanted welsh language language wales official policy abolished major novelist second half twentieth century long writing career published novels surveys political cultural history twentieth century wales novelist post second world war era williams born near williams continued earlier tradition writing left wing perspective welsh industrial scene trilogy border country second generation fight enjoyed reputation cultural historian museums libraries national museum wales founded royal charter welsh government sponsored body national museum seven sites country including national museum cardiff national history museum big pit national coal museum april attractions attached national museum granted free entry assembly action saw visitor numbers sites increase home national library wales houses important collections wales including john william library castle collection printed collection library holds important welsh art collections including portraits photographs posters ordnance survey maps visual arts works celtic art found wales early medieval period celtic christianity wales art british isles number illuminated manuscripts wales survive 8th century notable 11th century dublin certainly welsh david shows late style unusual viking influence best welsh artists 16th 18th centuries tended leave country work moving london italy richard wilson arguably major british notable italian scenes painted welsh scenes visits london late 18th century popularity landscape art grew clients found larger welsh towns allowing welsh artists stay homeland artists outside wales drawn paint welsh scenery celtic revival early 19th century napoleonic wars preventing grand tour continental europe travel wales came considered accessible act parliament provided establishment number art schools united_kingdom cardiff school art opened graduates leave wales work popular centre artists artists colony helped form royal academy art sculptor sir william john works welsh commissions settled london christopher williams subjects welsh based london thomas andrew successful careers based respectively united_states france sir frank welsh origin spent little time wales welsh painters art capitals europe john sister gwen john lived london paris sir williams peter lived wales lives remaining touch wider art world richards engaged welsh art scene teacher cardiff moving london painter international styles including artists moved wales including gill london david jones sculptor jones gang intellectual circle centred poet thomas poet artist included painter alfred south wales notable important sites pottery began producing 17th century 18th 19th centuries scientific methods available refined produced led pottery known pottery later pottery near cardiff operation making fine pottery pottery founded susan williams daughter williams creator village based trent england national symbols flag wales incorporates red dragon prince tudor colours green white henry vii battle carried state paul cathedral red dragon included tudor royal arms welsh descent officially recognised welsh national flag british union flag incorporates flags scotland ireland england welsh representation technically wales represented flag england laws wales act annexed wales england following 13th century conquest symbols wales origins traced 16th century popular 19th century encouraged david lloyd george attributed confusion association welsh peter report gave preference appeared british pound coins prince wales badge wales badge known prince wales feathers consists white feathers emerging gold ribbon bears german motto serve welsh representative teams including welsh rugby union welsh regiments british_army royal welsh example use badge version prince wales claimed authority use symbol english land fathers national anthem wales played events football rugby matches involving wales national team opening welsh assembly official occasions god save queen national anthem united_kingdom played alongside official events royal connection sport national governing bodies regulate organise sports wales involved competitive sports select organise manage individuals teams represent country international events fixtures countries wales represented major world sporting events world cup rugby world cup rugby league world cup commonwealth games olympics games welsh athletes compete alongside scotland england northern_ireland great_britain team football traditionally popular sport north wales rugby union seen symbol welsh identity expression national consciousness wales national rugby union team takes annual nations championship competed rugby world cup hosting tournament professional sides replaced traditional club sides major competitions replaced regions cardiff blues newport dragons welsh regional teams play league anglo welsh cup cup european cup european challenge cup wales football league welsh premier league historical reasons welsh clubs play english football league system cardiff city city newport county bay town famous welsh players years include john charles rush ryan international cricket wales england field single representative team administered england wales cricket board called england cricket team simply england occasionally separate wales team play limited overs competitions county cricket club welsh participant england wales county championship wales produced world class participants individual sports including players ray terry mark williams matthew stevens track athletes mark world stage including metre jackson world record holder winner numerous olympic world european medals grey thompson won paralympic gold medals wales tradition producing world class joe world super champion won ring magazine super ring magazine light heavyweight titles boxing world champions include welsh howard jones jimmy steve robinson tommy terror came close defeating world heavyweight champion joe louis height fame wales hosted international sporting events include commonwealth games rugby world cup cup media welsh television broadcasts digital ceased broadcasts april wales digital nation cardiff home television output wales bbc wales national broadcaster based cardiff produces welsh oriented english welsh language television bbc wales bbc wales channels bbc wales produced programmes life mars doctor shown worldwide itv main commercial broadcaster welsh oriented service branded itv wales studios cross cardiff based cardiff broadcast november output welsh language peak hours shared english language content channel_4 times digital april channel broadcast exclusively welsh bbc wales provide hours programming week remaining output commissioned itv independent producers bbc wales wales national radio broadcaster bbc radio wales english language radio service broadcasting wales english bbc radio welsh language radio service broadcasting wales welsh number independent radio stations broadcast welsh regions predominantly english regional radio stations broadcast welsh output ranges minute news weekday radio hours welsh language programmes weekly sound essentially bilingual stations offering programme content heart champion radio respectively newspapers sold read wales national newspapers available britain unlike scotland newspapers scottish based titles western mail wales national daily newspaper wales based regional daily newspapers include daily post covers north wales south wales evening post south wales echo cardiff south wales newport welsh language newspaper published weekly wales sunday welsh sunday newspaper cover wales welsh books council welsh government funded body tasked promoting welsh literature provides publishing grants qualifying welsh language publications books published year dozens welsh publishers wales main publishing houses include press university wales press magazines published welsh english cover general specialist subjects welsh affairs magazine published monthly english subscribers countries titles published quarterly english include planet poetry wales welsh language magazines include current affairs titles view published weekly barn opinion monthly specialist magazines dawn published quarterly national organisation women quarterly publication presbyterian church wales appeared oldest welsh publication print cuisine land surface wales given agricultural use little land vast majority consists permanent grass pasture rough grazing herd animals sheep cows beef dairy cattle raised widely especially wales known sheep farming lamb meat traditionally associated welsh cooking traditional dishes include edible fruit bread lamb soup welsh welsh lamb served traditional breakfast bacon wales traditional food absorbed cuisine england welsh owe countries india china united_states chicken country favourite dish chinese food fish chips performing arts music wales referred land song notable male solo artists principal welsh festival music poetry annual national international echoes national provides opportunity singers musicians world perform traditional music dance wales supported societies welsh folk song society published number collections songs tunes traditional instruments wales include triple instruments society promotes specific singing art primarily annual day festival bbc national orchestra wales performs wales internationally welsh national opera based wales millennium centre cardiff bay national youth orchestra wales type world wales tradition producing notable singers including sir evans dame jones dame anne evans dame margaret price sir tom jones tyler mary charlotte church stevens dame marina diamonds popular bands emerged wales include beatles power pop group 1960s man 1970s alarm 1980s groups emerged 1990s led street followed likes notable period super animals gained popular success dual language artists recently successful welsh bands include bullet valentine funeral friend kids glass houses welsh traditional folk music scene resurgence performers bands james male voice emerged 19th century continue today originally formed tenor bass sections chapel embraced popular secular hymns day historic survive modern wales singing mixture traditional popular songs drama earliest surviving welsh plays medieval miracle plays tri kings cologne passion resurrection recognised welsh tradition theatre emerged 18th century form interlude play performed markets larger welsh towns began building theatres 19th century attracted likes james william charles wales existed mobile companies visiting travelling theatres settled purchasing theatres perform drama early 20th century country failed produce welsh national theatre company second world war substantial number amateur companies existed outbreak hostilities reduced thirds increasing competition television 1950s 1960s led need greater theatre result plays williams owen staged welsh actors including richard burton rachel roberts houston stanley baker establishing artistic talents anthony alumnus royal welsh college music drama starred hollywood films welsh actors crossed atlantic recently include matthew michael catherine jones wales produced known including tommy cooper terry jones harry gilbert paul dance dancing popular wales traditional dances include folk dancing dancing mention dancing wales 12th century account 19th century traditional dance died attributed influence belief physical diversion worthless especially mixed dancing ancient dances passed single rescued blake recorded numerous instruction pamphlets recording steps music similar vein dancing preserved developed likes wood art local national stages dancing traditionally male dominated art common year traditional dance festival held came end lack participants dancing seen revival 21st century welsh folk dance society founded supports network national amateur dance teams publishes support material contemporary dance grew cardiff 1970s earliest companies moving came london cardiff formed eventually national dance company wales resident company wales millennium centre conversely wales national ballet company festivals celebrating traditional religious festivals great_britain easter christmas wales unique celebratory days early local parishes celebrate patron saint local church celebration died 19th century replaced saint david day celebrated march wales welsh world commemorating patron saint friendship love popularity increasing recently celebrated january similar way valentine day exchanging cards holding parties concerts associated supernatural dead observed november saints day largely replaced festivities include day celebrating beginning summer day fair day


malaysia malaysia lay lay malaysian pronunciation federal constitutional monarchy located southeast_asia consists thirteen states federal territories total square kilometres separated south china sea similarly sized regions malaysia east malaysia malaysian borneo malaysia shares land maritime border thailand maritime borders singapore vietnam indonesia east malaysia shares land maritime borders indonesia maritime border philippines vietnam capital city seat federal government population million malaysia 44th populous country southernmost point continental malaysia located tropics malaysia countries earth large numbers endemic species malaysia origins kingdoms present area 18th century subject british_empire british territories known straits settlements establishment followed kingdoms british territories malaysia unified union malaya federation malaya achieved independence august malaya united north borneo singapore september years later singapore expelled federation country multi ethnic multi cultural plays large role politics half population large minorities malaysian chinese malaysian indians indigenous peoples constitution declares islam state religion allowing freedom religion non muslims government system closely modelled westminster parliamentary system legal system based common law head state king known yang elected monarch chosen hereditary rulers states years head government prime minister independence malaysia best economic records asia growing average years economy traditionally natural resources expanding sectors science tourism commerce medical tourism today malaysia newly market economy ranked largest southeast_asia 29th largest world founding member association southeast asian nations east asia summit organisation islamic cooperation member asia pacific economic cooperation commonwealth nations non aligned movement etymology malaysia combination word latin greek word derive tamil words meaning mountain city land respectively word ancient indian traders referring peninsula originated roots word early mean steadily accelerate run term applied describe strong current river sumatra later adopted kingdom existed seventh century sumatra onset european peninsula known land racial classification created german scholar friedrich natives maritime southeast_asia grouped single category race following expedition french navigator oceania later proposed terms malaysia distinguishing pacific cultures island groups existing term described malaysia area commonly known east indies english george samuel windsor earl writing journal indian archipelago eastern asia proposed naming islands southeast_asia favouring modern terminology remains group people predominantly inhabiting peninsula portions adjacent islands southeast_asia including east_coast sumatra coast borneo smaller islands lie areas state gained independence united_kingdom took federation malaya chosen preference potential names historic kingdom located upper section peninsula millennium malaysia adopted existing states federation malaya plus singapore north borneo formed new federation theory chosen represented inclusion singapore north borneo malaya politicians philippines contemplated renaming state malaysia modern country took history evidence modern human malaysia dates years inhabitants thought traders settlers india china arrived early century establishing trading ports coastal towns second centuries presence resulted strong indian chinese influences local cultures people peninsula adopted religions buddhism sanskrit inscriptions appear early fourth fifth century kingdom arose second century northern area peninsula lasting 15th century 7th 13th centuries southern peninsula maritime empire fall empire influence malaysia archipelago islam began spread 14th century early 15th century sultan runaway king kingdom founded commonly considered independent state peninsula area important commercial centre time attracting trade region conquered portugal taken dutch british_empire established presence malaya sultan leased island british east india company british obtained town singapore took control following anglo dutch treaty british directly controlled singapore island established crown colony straits settlements 20th century states known states british residents appointed advise rulers rulers bound treaty remaining states peninsula known states directly british rule accepted british advisers turn 20th century development peninsula borneo generally separate 19th century british rule immigration chinese indians serve labourers encouraged area came british control north borneo sultan sultan transferred respective territorial rights ownership ceded sultan james successors ruled white independent kingdom crown colony second world war japanese army invaded occupied malaya north borneo singapore years time ethnic tensions raised nationalism grew popular support independence increased malaya allied forces post war british plans unite administration malaya single crown colony called union met strong opposition opposed weakening rulers granting citizenship ethnic chinese union established consisting british possessions peninsula exception singapore quickly dissolved replaced february federation malaya restored autonomy rulers states british protection time chinese rebels leadership communist_party launched guerrilla operations designed force british malaya emergency lasted involved long anti campaign commonwealth troops malaya august malaya independent member commonwealth nations plan place malaya crown colonies north borneo joined singapore date federation planned august coincide anniversary independence federation delayed september order united_nations survey support federation called parties opposed federation including indonesia united peoples party completed federation brought heightened tensions including conflict indonesia singapore eventual exit racial strife strife culminated race riots riots controversial new economic policy launched prime minister trying increase share economy held prime minister period rapid economic growth beginning 1980s economy shifted based based manufacturing industry numerous mega projects completed towers north south expressway super corridor new federal administrative capital late 1990s asian financial crisis caused collapse currency stock property markets government politics malaysia federal constitutional monarchy federation southeast_asia system government closely modelled westminster parliamentary system legacy british colonial rule head state yang commonly referred king king elected year term hereditary rulers states states titular governors participate selection informal agreement position systematically rotated held december king role largely ceremonial changes constitution picking ministers members upper house legislative power divided federal state federal parliament consists lower house house_of_representatives upper house senate member house_of_representatives elected maximum term years single member senators sit year terms elected state assemblies remaining appointed king prime minister recommendation parliament follows multi party system government elected past post system independence malaysia governed party coalition known state state legislative assembly members elected single member state governments led chief ministers state assembly members majority party assembly states hereditary ruler chief minister normally required appointed ruler recommendation prime minister parliamentary elections held years recent took place registered voters age vote members house_of_representatives states state legislative chamber voting mandatory state elections convention state elections held concurrently federal election executive power cabinet led prime minister prime minister member house_of_representatives opinion king commands majority parliament cabinet chosen members houses parliament prime minister head cabinet head government incumbent appointed sixth prime minister malaysia legal system based english common law judiciary theoretically independent independence called question appointment judges lacks transparency highest court judicial system federal court followed court appeal high courts malaysia east malaysia malaysia special court hear cases brought royalty death penalty use crimes murder terrorism drug trafficking separate running parallel civil courts courts apply law muslims areas family law religious race significant force politics political parties based actions new economic policy national development policy superseded implemented advance standing consisting indigenous tribes considered original inhabitants malaysia non malaysian chinese malaysian indians policies provide treatment employment education scholarships business access cheaper housing assisted savings generated greater resentment ongoing debate laws society malaysia reflect secular islamic principles islamic criminal laws passed pan malaysian islamic party support state state legislative assembly blocked federal government basis criminal laws responsibility federal government foreign relations military founding member association southeast asian nations organisation islamic cooperation country international organisations united_nations asia pacific economic cooperation developing countries non aligned movement chaired past british colony member commonwealth nations site east asia summit malaysia foreign policy officially based principle neutrality maintaining peaceful relations countries regardless political system government high priority security stability southeast_asia seeks develop relations countries region historically government tried portray malaysia progressive islamic nation strengthening relations islamic states strong malaysia policy national sovereignty right country control domestic affairs policy territorial disputes government government solving disputes number ways bringing case international court justice islands disputed states area large portion south china sea claimed china unlike neighbours vietnam philippines malaysia historically avoided conflicts china chinese ships malaysian territorial waters malaysia active condemning china malaysia announced end claims land committed resolve issues related maritime borders philippines dormant claim eastern singapore land caused tensions minor maritime land border disputes exist indonesia malaysia recognised israel diplomatic ties called international criminal court action israel flotilla raid malaysia stated establish official relations israel peace agreement state palestine reached called parties find quick resolution malaysian forces contributed missions iran iraq bosnia east lebanon malaysian armed forces branches royal malaysian navy malaysian army royal malaysian air_force conscription required age voluntary military service military uses country employs malaysia manpower power defence arrangements regional security initiative place years involves joint military exercises held malaysia singapore australia new_zealand united_kingdom joint exercises war games held china indonesia united_states malaysia philippines thailand vietnam agreed host joint security force exercises secure maritime border tackle issues illegal immigration piracy smuggling fears activities muslim areas southern philippines southern thailand spill malaysia subdivisions malaysia federation states federal territories divided regions states federal territories malaysia states federal territory east malaysia state divided districts divided districts grouped divisions governance states divided federal state governments different powers reserved federal government direct administration federal territories lower level administration carried local authorities include city councils district councils municipal councils autonomous statutory bodies created federal state governments deal certain tasks federal constitution puts local authorities outside federal territories exclusive jurisdictions state government practice federal government intervened affairs state local governments local authorities consisting city councils municipal councils district councils states based historical kingdoms states known states retain royal families king elected rulers serve year term king governors serving year term states chief minister state state legislature known state legislative assembly written constitution considerably autonomy states notably having separate immigration policies controls unique residency status federal intervention state affairs lack development disputes oil royalties occasionally led statements leaders states followed independence movements exist geography malaysia largest country total land area land area km2 land borders thailand west malaysia indonesia east malaysia linked singapore narrow causeway bridge country maritime boundaries vietnam philippines land borders defined large geological features river river canal whilst maritime boundaries subject ongoing contention forms malaysia state dividing parts malaysia country territory asian mainland archipelago located southern state southernmost tip continental asia lying sumatra malaysia important global commerce carrying cent world trade parts malaysia separated south china sea share largely similar landscape east malaysia feature coastal plains rising hills mountains malaysia containing cent malaysia land area extends north south maximum width divided east west coasts mountains rising peak elevation metres mount series mountain ranges running centre peninsula mountains heavily forested mainly composed granite rocks eroded creating landscape range origin malaysia river systems coastal plains surrounding peninsula reach maximum width kilometres peninsula coastline nearly long available western east malaysia island borneo coastline divided coastal regions hills valleys mountainous interior range extends northwards dividing state location high mount tallest mountain malaysia mount located national park protected world heritage sites malaysia highest mountain ranges form border malaysia indonesia contains caves largest cave system world national park world heritage site halves malaysia numerous islands largest local climate characterised annual southwest april october northeast october february temperature presence surrounding oceans humidity usually high average annual rainfall climates peninsula east differ climate peninsula directly affected wind mainland opposed maritime weather east local climates divided regions highland lowland coastal climate change likely affect sea levels rainfall increasing flood risks leading biodiversity malaysia signed rio convention biological diversity june party convention june subsequently produced national biodiversity strategy action plan received convention april country high number species high levels estimated contain cent world animal species high levels found diverse forests borneo mountains species isolated lowland forest species country species birds recorded malaysia endemic mountains high number endemic bird species found malaysian borneo species recorded country species snakes species species frogs thousands insect species malaysia exclusive economic zone times larger land area waters coral triangle biodiversity waters island world bordering east malaysia sea biodiversity coral species fish species unique biodiversity malaysian caves attracts lovers world nearly species fungi including forming species recorded malaysia fungal groups largest number species malaysia states surveyed habitats decaying wood marine freshwater ecosystems parasites plants agents poorly surveyed habitats soils human animal partly surveyed fungi mushrooms studied malaysian fungi remain poorly known doubt fungal species malaysia recorded likely found new science thirds malaysia covered forest forests believed million years old forests dominated lowland forest covers areas east malaysia covered supported hot wet climate species flowering plants trees km2 malaysia large forest higher altitudes oaks replace estimated species plants malaysia east forests east malaysia estimated habitat tree species areas world different species trees forests host members genus largest flowers world maximum diameter conservation issues logging cultivation practices devastated tree cover causing severe environmental degradation country cent cleared floods east malaysia worsened loss trees cent forest cleared current rates forests predicted extinct major problem animals fungi plants forest cut room plantations remaining forest found inside national parks habitat destruction proved threat marine life illegal fishing major threat fishing methods dynamite fishing poisoning marine ecosystems turtle numbers dropped cent 1950s hunting issue animals use animal parts profit animals marine life tigers marine life affected tourism malaysian government aims balance economic growth environmental protection accused favouring big business environment state governments trying counter environmental impact pollution created federal government trying cut logging cent year national parks established east malaysia tourism limited areas island animal trafficking large issue malaysian government holding talks governments indonesia anti trafficking laws economy malaysia relatively open state oriented newly market economy state plays significant declining role guiding economic activity plans malaysia best economic records asia growing average cent annually malaysia economy competitive asia ranking 6th asia 20th world higher countries like australia france south_korea malaysia economy grew second highest growth philippines growth economy malaysia billion largest populous indonesia thailand 28th largest world prime minister malaysia outlined ideal vision malaysia self sufficient nation said malaysia attain developed country status earlier actual target adding country program concept government transformation programme economic transformation programme according report malaysia world 21st largest economy year dollars capita year dollars report says electronic equipment petroleum natural gas producer substantial increase income capita malaysian life relatively high level schooling average fertility rate help rapid expansion managing director credit said malaysia right ingredients developed nation 1970s predominantly mining agricultural based economy began transition multi sector economy 1980s industrial sector high level investment led country growth economy recovered asian financial crisis earlier neighbouring countries recovered levels pre crisis era capita economic exist different ethnic groups chinese quarter population accounts cent country market chinese businesses malaysia larger bamboo network network overseas chinese businesses southeast asian market sharing common family cultural ties international trade facilitated shipping route adjacent manufacturing key sectors malaysia natural agricultural resources petroleum major export malaysia largest producer tin rubber palm oil world manufacturing large influence country economy malaysia economic structure moving away malaysia remains world largest producers palm oil effort economy dependent export goods government pushed increase tourism malaysia result tourism malaysia largest source foreign exchange threatened negative effects growing industrial economy large amounts air water pollution affecting tourism tourism sector came pressure national carrier malaysia planes disappear march brought missile ukraine july resulting loss total passengers crew state airline years prompted government august airline buying cent malaysia listed best places retire world country position global retirement index result malaysia second home programme allow foreigners live country long stay years malaysia ranked fourth position world best retirement getting place best place asia retire warm climate british colonial background foreigners easy interact locals country developed centre islamic banking country highest numbers female workers industry knowledge based services expanding create self reliant defensive ability support national development malaysia military facilities 1970s created defence industry brought malaysia defence industry council government continues promote sector actively marketing defence industry science policies malaysia regulated ministry science technology innovation country world largest devices electrical devices communication products malaysia began developing space programme russia agreed transport malaysian international space station dollar purchase russian fighter jets royal malaysian air_force government invested building satellites programme infrastructure overall infrastructure malaysia developed asia ranked 8th asia 25th world malaysia ranked 19th world quality roads quality port infrastructure quality air transport infrastructure ranked 39th quality electricity supply telecommunications network second singapore southeast_asia million fixed line subscribers million cellular subscribers country seven international ports major port industrial parks specialised parks technology park malaysia tech park fresh water available cent population colonial period development mainly concentrated economically powerful cities areas forming security concerns rural areas focus great development areas west_coast malaysia network strong urban areas available rural population energy malaysia energy infrastructure sector largely dominated largest electric utility company southeast_asia billion assets customers connected electricity national grid transmission linked approximately transmission lines operating malaysia total power generation capacity total electricity generation total electricity consumption energy production malaysia largely based oil natural gas owing malaysia oil reserves natural gas reserves fourth largest asia pacific china india vietnam transportation malaysia road network comprehensive asia covers total kilometres main national road network malaysian federal roads system span federal roads malaysia lane roads town areas federal roads lane roads increase traffic capacity nearly federal roads paved parts highway paved concrete parts federal highway linking paved asphalt malaysia kilometres highways longest highway north south expressway extends kilometres west_coast malaysia connecting major urban centres like government announced billion billion pan borneo highway project upgrade trunk roads dual carriage bringing standard east malaysian highways level quality highways currently kilometres railways malaysia double tracked electrified rail transport malaysia comprises heavy rail light rapid transit rapid rail railway line hill railway heavy rail passenger freight transport urban public transport city urban public transport commuter rail services linking international airport sole line country public transport railway line rapid transit project currently construction improve public transport system railway network covers states malaysia east malaysia state railways network connected thai railway network north burma railway rebuilt services india china initiated malaysia airports paved national airline malaysia providing international domestic air services major international routes domestic routes crossing west malaysia east malaysia served malaysia air smaller domestic routes supplemented smaller like air major cargo include air services international airport main busiest airport malaysia world 13th busiest airport international passenger traffic recording million international passenger traffic world 20th busiest airport passenger traffic recording million passengers major airports include international airport malaysia second busiest airport busiest airport east malaysia million passengers international airport serves malaysia second largest urban area million passengers malaysia strategically located important shipping lanes world malaysia ports listed busiest ports world port port respectively 2nd 3rd busiest ports southeast_asia port singapore port malaysia busiest port 13th busiest port world handling million port malaysia second busiest port 19th busiest port world handling million demographics census population malaysia making 42nd populated country cent population malaysian citizens malaysian citizens divided ethnic lines cent considered largest group defined constitution muslims practice customs culture play dominant role politically status accorded certain non indigenous peoples including ethnic natives non half population thirds population exist groups smaller numbers peninsula collectively known laws gets status vary states minorities lack status cent population chinese descent indian descent comprise cent population chinese historically dominant business commerce community form population immigrants india majority began arriving malaysia early 19th century malaysian citizenship automatically granted born malaysia granted child born malaysian parents outside malaysia dual citizenship permitted citizenship states malaysian borneo distinct citizenship malaysia immigration purposes citizen issued smart chip identity card known age carry card times education system features non compulsory education followed years compulsory primary education years optional secondary education schools primary education system divided categories national primary schools teach vernacular schools teach chinese tamil secondary education conducted years final year secondary education students sit malaysian certificate education examination introduction programme students completed month programme colleges local universities system cent places open non students infant mortality rate deaths life birth years aim developing malaysia medical tourism destination cent government social sector development budget spent health care population concentrated malaysia million approximately million live cent population urban capital largest city malaysia main commercial financial centre purpose built city constructed seat government executive judicial branches federal government moved ease growing congestion rise labour intensive industries country estimated million workers cent population based estimate million population million illegal immigrants malaysia hosts population refugees asylum numbering approximately population approximately burma philippines indonesia malaysian officials reported turned directly human malaysia employs volunteer militia history controversies enforce immigration law religion malaysian constitution says guarantees freedom religion making islam state religion according population housing census figures ethnicity religious beliefs highly approximately population practice islam practice buddhism christianity practice traditional chinese religions declared religion remaining practised religions provide information islam school dominant branch islam malaysia muslims malaysian constitution strictly defines makes considering muslim speak regularly customs lived ancestors malaysia singapore statistics census indicate chinese population identify buddhist significant numbers adherents following christianity small muslim populations areas like majority indian population follow significant minority identifying christians muslims christianity predominant religion non community additional identifying muslims muslims obliged follow decisions courts matters concerning religion islamic judges expected follow legal school islam main malaysia jurisdiction courts limited muslims matters marriage inheritance divorce religious conversion custody criminal civil offences jurisdiction courts similar hierarchy civil courts despite supreme courts land civil courts hear matters related islamic practices language official national language malaysia malaysian form language terminology government policy malaysia literally malaysian language legislation continues refer official language literally language national language act latin script official script national language prohibit use traditional script english remains active second language use allowed official purposes national language act english official state language alongside malaysian historically english facto administrative language predominant race riots malaysian english known malaysian standard english form english derived british english malaysian english widely business form english heavy chinese tamil influences government use non standard power issue compounds fines use improper advertisements languages malaysia contains speakers living languages malaysia contains speakers languages native tribes east malaysia languages related easily distinguishable main tribal language languages spoken natives chinese predominantly speak chinese southern provinces china common chinese varieties country tamil predominantly form majority malaysian indians south asian languages widely spoken malaysia thai small number ancestry speak languages portuguese based spanish based language culture malaysia multi ethnic society original culture area stemmed indigenous tribes inhabited later moved substantial influence exists chinese indian culture dating foreign trade began cultural influences include persian arabic british cultures structure government coupled social contract theory minimal cultural ethnic minorities government created national cultural policy defining malaysian culture stated malaysian culture based culture indigenous peoples malaysia incorporate suitable elements cultures islam play promoted language government intervention culture caused resentment non feel cultural freedom chinese indian associations submitted government accusing culture policy cultural disputes exist malaysia neighbouring countries notably indonesia countries similar cultural heritage sharing traditions items disputes arisen things ranging dishes malaysia national anthem strong feelings exist indonesia protecting national heritage malaysian government indonesian government met tensions resulting overlaps culture feelings strong malaysia recognise cultural values shared fine arts traditional malaysian art mainly centred areas carving weaving traditional art ranges rural areas courts common artworks included ornamental beetle sets woven indigenous east known wooden masks ethnic group distinct performing arts little overlap art north indian influence historical influence india traditional music performing arts appear originated region influences india china thailand indonesia music based percussion instruments important drum types traditional drums drums traditional percussion instruments natural materials music traditionally storytelling celebrating life cycle events occasions harvest form long distance communication east malaysia based musical commonly ceremonies weddings common neighbouring regions philippines indonesia malaysia strong oral tradition existed arrival writing continues today created literary tradition influenced pre existing oral stories stories came islam literature arabic script earliest known writing stone chinese indian literature common numbers speakers increased malaysia locally produced works based languages areas began produced 19th century english common literary language government took step defining literature different languages literature written called national literature malaysia literature languages called regional literature literature languages called literature poetry highly developed uses forms form popular spread languages cuisine malaysia cuisine reflects multi ethnic makeup population cultures country surrounding regions greatly influenced cuisine influence comes chinese indian thai cultures largely country ancient route cuisine similar singapore bears resemblance filipino cuisine different states varied dishes food malaysia different original dishes food found original culture example chinese restaurants malaysia serve dishes food culture cooked styles taken culture example shrimp paste commonly ingredients chinese restaurants create stir fried water means malaysian food traced certain culture identity rice popular dishes commonly found local cuisine necessarily media malaysia main newspapers owned government political parties ruling coalition major opposition parties openly sold alongside regular newspapers divide exists media halves country based media gives low priority news east treats eastern states colonies peninsula media blamed increasing tension indonesia malaysia giving bad image country english chinese tamil freedom press limited numerous restrictions publishing rights information government previously tried crack opposition papers elections government agency issued directive private television radio stations refrain broadcasting speeches opposition leaders condemned politicians opposition democratic action party independent government control press malaysia laws printing presses publications act cited freedom expression holidays festivals observe number holidays festivities year federally public holidays observed individual states festivals observed particular ethnic religion groups main holiday major group declared public holiday observed national holiday independence day august commemorating independence federation malaya malaysia day september commemorates federation notable national holidays labour day king birthday week june muslim holidays prominent islam state religion called called birthday prophet observed malaysian chinese celebrate festivals chinese new year relating traditional chinese beliefs malaysia celebrate festival lights religious rite sees pilgrims country converge caves malaysia christian community celebrates holidays observed christians notably christmas easter east celebrate harvest festival known known despite festivals identified particular ethnic religious group celebrations universal custom known open house participate celebrations visiting houses identify festival sports popular sports malaysia include football field hockey tennis martial arts horse riding sailing boarding football popular sport malaysia country currently studying possibility bidding joint host world cup matches attract thousands spectators malaysia countries hold thomas cup world team championship trophy men malaysian lawn federation registered brought country members british_army competition held association malaysia created june malaysia proposed southeast asian football league men national field hockey team ranked 13th world december 3rd hockey world cup hosted stadium 10th cup country formula track international circuit runs kilometres held grand prix traditional sports include common style martial arts practised ethnic malaysia singapore federation malaya olympic council formed received recognition participated melbourne olympic games council renamed olympic council malaysia participated olympic games inception largest number athletes sent olympics munich olympic games malaysian athletes won total olympic medals platform diving country competed commonwealth games malaya malaysia games hosted common martial arts