Established in the mid-1800s, Kuala Lumpur is the youngest Southeast Asian capital. As the commercial capital of Malaysia, it is situated midway along the west coast tin and rubber belt of Peninsular/West Malaysia, at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers in hilly country west of the Main Range (Banjaran Titiwangsa). It is about 40km from the coast of the Straits of Malacca and her ocean port, Port Klang.It sits at the center of the Peninsula's extensive and modern transportation network, serving as the ultra-modern cultural, commercial and transportation center of Malaysia.
In 1972, Kuala Lumpur was designated a municipality and in 1974 an area of 243 sq km, including the municipality, was designated the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur which is surrounded by the State of Selangor. As the commercial capital and largest city in the nation with a population of 1.3 million , it is to some extent a reflection of the rest of the country. The residents of KL are predominately comprised of Malays, Chinese and Indians.
