Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia and the country's largest urban area. It’s situated in the western part of Peninsular Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in Southeast Asia, in both population and economic development. It is the country’s economic, transportation, and cultural centre. Since its establishment in the mid-19th century, Kuala Lumpur has been instrumental in shaping Malaysia’s trajectory. The city is well-known for its striking blend of architectural styles, from colonial and Moorish Revival buildings to modern and postmodern skyscrapers such as the PETRONAS Twin Towers, the Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the Merdeka Square.

The last nationwide census in Malaysia took place in 2010, and the subsequent one was slated for 2020. According to the 2010 Census, Kuala Lumpur had a population of 1,588,750. Kuala Lumpur is one of the most diverse cities in Malaysia, with the Chinese, Indian, and various indigenous communities complementing the majority Malays. According to the 2010 Census, 44.2% of the population was Malay, 43.2% Chinese, 10.3% Indian, and 2.3% from other ethnicities. Kuala Lumpur is also a religiously diverse city, with Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity being the major religions. As of the 2010 Census, 46.4% of the population was Muslim, 35.7% Buddhist, 8.5% Hindu, 5.8% Christian, and 1.1% practiced other religions or had no religious affiliation. Kuala Lumpur is a linguistically diverse city with Malay, English, Mandarin, and Tamil widely spoken. The city is also known for its cultural landmarks, including the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.

Kuala Lumpur is administered by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, under the Federal Territories Ministry of Malaysia. The city hall is responsible for public health and sanitation, waste removal and management, town planning, environmental protection and building control, social and economic development, and general maintenance of urban infrastructure. The city's Mayor is chosen by the Malaysian Federal Government. Kuala Lumpur used to have a city council which was made up of elected and non-elected members, but it was disbanded after the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory was created in 1974.

Kuala Lumpur is the economic powerhouse of Malaysia, contributing to over 15% of the country's GDP. The city is a major centre for finance, insurance, real estate, media and the arts. Apart from that, the city is a hub for retail and wholesale trade, with shopping malls like Suria KLCC and Mid Valley Megamall drawing tourists from all over the world. Kuala Lumpur has a large service sector, including a growing information technology industry, and an expanding construction industry due to major infrastructure projects in and around the city.

Kuala Lumpur is home to advanced infrastructure that supports its bustling economy. The city's transport network is diverse with numerous modes of transport available, including mass rapid transit (MRT), light rapid transit (LRT), bus rapid transit (BRT), monorail, commuter rail, and airport rail link. The city's main airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in Asia, and the port of Klang, located nearby, is the largest port in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is also making strides in digital infrastructure, with high-speed internet and digital services being readily accessible throughout the city.