The geography of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is characterized by a huge valley — known as the Klang Valley — bordered by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east, several minor ranges in the north and the south and the Malacca Straits in the west. The name Kuala Lumpur literally means muddy confluence; Kuala Lumpur is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers, facing the Malacca Straits.
Located in the center of Selangor State, Kuala Lumpur was previously under Selangor state government. In 1974, Kuala Lumpur was separated from Selangor to form today's Kuala Lumpur under the Malaysian Federal Government. Its location on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, which has wider flat land than the East Coast, has contributed to its faster development relative to other cities in Malaysia.
The city is currently 243.65 km2 (94.07 sq mi) wide, with an average elevation of 21.95 m (72 ft).
Kuala Lumpur is rich in tin.
The area is subject to flash flood due to thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Kuala Lumpur has moderate pollution compared to other modern cities in the world. Due to the close proximity of the Sumatra Island, dust particles are carried by wind from perennial but transient forest fires, creating a phenomenon known as the haze.