Malaysia

Why it sticks

1. 1

   Split by the South China Sea into Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak).

2. 2

   The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004.

3. 3

   It has a unique rotating monarchy: the king is chosen every five years from among nine hereditary state rulers.

4. 4

   The 14 red and white stripes of the flag represent the 13 states and the federal government.

• Drives on the left; black plates with white characters.
• Malay in Latin script: 'Jalan', 'Kampung', 'Awas' (caution).
• Black-and-white or yellow-and-black striped kerbs.
• Endless oil palm plantations and red laterite soil.