Former land bridge 1,600 km/1,000 mi wide between Asia and North America; it existed during the ice ages that occurred before 35,000 BC and during the period 24,0009000 BC. As the climate warmed and the ice sheets melted, Beringia flooded. It is now covered by the Bering Strait and Chukchi Sea.
Red and white are the traditional colours of South East Asia. The blue canton recalls the British Empire and represents unity. Yellow is the colour of the Sultans of Malaysia. Effective date: 16 September 1963.