14 surprising things you didn't know about Malaysia

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Flickr Creative Commons/Zhao

Malaysia is one of Asia's hidden gems.

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The country is often overlooked - it lacks the economic prestige of its neighbor and former state Singapore, and it isn't a renowned tourism destination like two of its other neighbors, Thailand and Indonesia.

But take a closer look and you'll find a country with a rich history, fascinating people, and delicious food.

Here are some surprising things most people don't know about Malaysia: