Country | Malaysia |
Population | 2044200 |
Area | 243 km2 (94 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+8 (MST) |
Coordinates | 3.1412, 101.68653 |
Highest elevation | 63 m (207 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Kuala Lumpur, often abbreviated as KL, is the bustling capital city of Malaysia. Officially known as the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, it stands as the largest city in the country, covering an area of 243 square kilometers (94 square miles) with a population of approximately 2,163,000 as of 2022. The greater metropolitan area, known as the Klang Valley, boasts a population of 8.622 million as of 2023, making it one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in Southeast Asia.
KL’s rapid development is evident in its skyline, dominated by the iconic Petronas Towers, the tallest twin buildings in the world. The city serves as the cultural, financial, tourism, political, and economic hub of Malaysia. It houses the bicameral Parliament of Malaysia and the Istana Negara, the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the monarch of Malaysia).
Founded in 1857, Kuala Lumpur initially developed as a town serving the tin mines of the region. It became the capital of Selangor in 1880 and continued to grow, becoming the founding capital of the Federation of Malaya and later Malaysia. While the executive and judicial branches of the Malaysian federal government have relocated to Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur remains a significant political center.
Kuala Lumpur’s economy is robust and diverse, contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP. It ranks as ASEAN’s fifth-largest economy after Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Manila. The city’s strategic location and well-developed infrastructure have made it a major center for finance, commerce, and tourism. The Klang Valley Integrated Transit System, which includes the KLIA Ekspres rail link to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) via KL Sentral, ensures excellent connectivity.
The city’s rich cultural scene includes a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences, reflected in its festivals, cuisine, and architecture. Kuala Lumpur is renowned for its shopping malls, housing three of the world’s ten largest, and it ranks as the sixth most-visited city globally, according to the Mastercard Destination Cities Index in 2019.
Kuala Lumpur is also a significant player in international sports, having hosted events such as the 1998 Commonwealth Games, the 2001 and 2017 Southeast Asian Games, Formula One, Moto GP, and the FIFA World Youth Championships. The city was named World Book Capital 2020 by UNESCO, highlighting its vibrant literary scene.
The city’s continuous growth and development make it a dynamic and exciting place to live and visit. Kuala Lumpur ranks second in Southeast Asia for the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Ranking and ninth in the ASPAC region for KPMG’s Leading Technology Innovation Hub 2021. The Oxford Economic Global Cities Index 2024 placed Kuala Lumpur as the second-best outstanding city in Southeast Asia and 135th in the world, showcasing its significance on the global stage.
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