Kuala Lumpur

views updated May 29 2018

Kuala Lumpur (Malay, ‘estuary mud’) Capital of Malaysia, s Malay Peninsula. Founded in 1857, Kuala Lumpur became the capital of the Federated Malay States in 1895, capital of the Federation of Malaya in 1957, and capital of Malaysia in 1963. A commercial city, its striking modern architecture includes one of the world's tallest buildings, the twin Petronas Towers, at 452m (1483ft). Industries: tin, rubber. Pop. (2000) 1,297,526.