Kuala Lumpur is the
federal capital and most populous city in Malaysia. The city
covers an area of 243 km2 and has an estimated population of 1.6
million as of 2012. Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of
Malaysia. The city was once home to the executive and judicial
branches of the federal government, but they were moved to
Putrajaya in early 1999. Some sections of the judiciary still
remains in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The official
residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also
situated in Kuala Lumpur. Rated as an alpha world city, Kuala
Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia
due to its position as the capital as well as being a key city.
Kuala Lumpur is defined
within the borders of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and
is one of three Malaysian Federal Territories. It is enclave
within the state of Selangor, on the central west coast of
Peninsular Malaysia. Residents of the city are colloquially known
as KLites. Since the 1990s, the city has played host to many
international sporting, political and cultural events including
the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One World
Championship. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest
twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have
become an iconic symbol of Malaysia's futuristic developments.
<- Back to the index
