Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy located in southeast Asia consisting of 13 states and three federal territories. Malaysia is separated by the South China Sea into two regions, known as west and east Malaysia. The country’s population mainly imitates cultures of Chinese and Indian cultures, but also includes characteristics of Persian, Arabic, and British cultures as well. The multiplicity of cultures that inhabit the two regions of Malaysia are reflected in the diverse cuisine, much of the influence being from Chinese, Thai, and Indian fare.