<item><hi format=bold>International disputes:</hi> involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; State of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia
<item><hi format=bold>Climate:</hi> tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
<item><hi format=bold>Terrain:</hi> coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
<item>• <hi format=ital>meadows and pastures:</hi> 0%
<item>• <hi format=ital>forest and woodland:</hi> 63%
<item>• <hi format=ital>other:</hi> 24%
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Irrigated land:</hi> 3,420 sq km (1989 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>Environment:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>current issues:</hi> air and water pollution; deforestation
<item>• <hi format=ital>natural hazards:</hi> subject to flooding
<item>• <hi format=ital>international agreements:</hi> party to—Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified—Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Note:</hi> strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea