Peninsular Malaysia

Coordinates: 4°0′N 102°30′E / 4.000°N 102.500°E / 4.000; 102.500

Peninsular Malaysia (Malay: Semenanjung Malaysia), also known as West Malaysia (formerly Malaya), is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula and surrounding islands. Its area is 130,598 square kilometres (50,424 sq mi). It shares a land border with Thailand in the north. To the south is the island of Singapore.

Across the Strait of Malacca to the west lies the island of Sumatra (Indonesia). East Malaysia (on the island of Borneo) is to the east across the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia accounts for the majority (roughly 80%) of Malaysia's population and economy; as of 2012 its population is roughly 23.5 million.

States and territories

Peninsular Malaysia consists of the following 11 states and two federal territories (starting from the North going to the South):

Monarchies of Malaysia

The monarchies of Malaysia refer to the constitutional monarchy system as practised in Malaysia. The political system of Malaysia is based on the Westminster parliamentary system with the features of a federation.

Nine of the states of Malaysia are constitutionally headed by traditional Malay rulers. The nine states are collectively referred to as the Malay States. State constitutions limit eligibility for the thrones to male Malay Muslim of royal descent. Seven are hereditary monarchies based on agnatic primogeniture; they are Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Perlis, Pahang, Selangor and Terengganu. In Perak, the throne rotates among three branches of the royal family loosely based on agnatic seniority. One state, Negeri Sembilan, is an elective monarchy; the ruler is elected from male members of the royal family by hereditary chiefs. All rulers except those of Perlis and Negeri Sembilan use the title Sultan. The ruler of Perlis is styled Raja, while the ruler of Negeri Sembilan is known as Yang Di Pertuan Besar.