Place details
Place nameMalay Archipelago
Other namesMalaysia, Indonesia
SourceThesaurus of Geographic Names
Overview
Largest island group in the world; colonized 1st cen. BC by Hindu Pallavas; influenced by Buddhism; much of area ruled by Srivijaya empire 12-14th cen.; Chinese & Muslim influence 15th cen.; Portuguese domination after 1511, succeeded by Dutch & British.