Its large marine territory also holds a great diversity of life, with the country's coastal waters comprising part of the Coral Triangle.
The Coral Triangle is recognized as the global centre of marine biodiversity and a global priority for conservation.
More than 3,000 species of fish live in the Coral Triangle, including the largest fish - the whale shark, and the coelacanth.
The large area and extraordinary range of habitats and environmental conditions have played a major role in maintaining the staggering biodiversity of the Coral Triangle.
An estimated 120 million people live within the Coral Triangle, of which approximately 2.25 million are fishers who depend on healthy seas to make a living.
The primary criteria used to delineate the Coral Triangle were:
It is part of the Coral Triangle, an area known for its high biodiversity.
Malaysia's exclusive economic zone is 1.5 times larger than its land area, and some of its waters are in the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot.
Halmahera and its small islands are located in the Coral Triangle, which has rich marine life.
New Guinea is within the Coral Triangle, the most species rich marine region in the world.
