Divided into two landmasses by the South China Sea, Malaysia is both physically and socially split by culture, language, and ethnicity.  The diversity of the Malaysian people is both a blessing and a curse.  It has aided the country in developing a cosmopolitan atmosphere that connects it with the many societies surrounding the small country, including India, China, Indonesia, and the Islamic world.  However, the multiplicity of cultures and religions has prevented the development of connection between the citizens.  In spite of the fractured national identity, unity is found in the continued development of one of the fastest growing economies in the world.