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Penang Malaysia

Penang " The Pearl of the Orient" lies off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia.  The state comprises the island of Penang covering an area of about 285 sq. km and a narrow strip of approximately 760 sq. km on the mainland known as Seberang Perai (Province Wellesley) separated by a channel 3 km wide at the closest point.  They are linked by the Penang Bridge and a 24-hour ferry service.  Its population of more than 1 million represents a happy mix of the major races found in Malaysia with Malays making up 32%, the Chinese 59% and Indians 7%.

Georgetown, at the north-eastern tip of the island is the seat of administration and is also the commercial hub of the state.  This bustling metropolitan city combines the best of east and west as seen in its fascinating collects, on of fine old buildings, each bearing the stamp of different foreign influences in its colorful history.  Much of its charm also lies in its famous golden beaches and clear blue seas.  Penang today is a resort island in full bloom - an idyllic playground for worshippers of the sun and the sea.  Its multi-racial population contributes to a wealth of cultural attractions and festivals for visitors to bring home memories of happy times in Penang.

A Brief History

Penang today bears the mark of an early history of successive foreign influences - from the early Indian Civilization that took root in northern Malaya to that of the Portuguese, Dutch and later the British who came to this part of the world in search of spices and stayed to participate in the lucrative trade. 

The history of modern Penang can be traced back to 1786 when Francis Light managed to persuade the Sultan of Kedah to cede "Pulau Pinang" (Betel Nut Island) to the British East India Company.  Light landed at the site of the present Esplanade and according to local legend, fired gold coins into the surrounding jungle to induce his men to clear-the area.  The island was originally named Prince of Wales Island and the settlement that soon grew up was named Georgetown after King George III.  In 1800, the Sultan of Kedah further ceded a strip of land on the mainland across the channel which Light named Province Wellesley, after the then Governor of India.  In 1832, Penang formed part of the Straits Settlement with Melaka and Singapore. It flourished and grew to be a major trading post for a lucrative trade in tea, spices, china and cloth.  For more than a hundred years, it remained under British Colonial rule until 1957 when it gained independence and became one of the states of the newly formed Federation of Malaya and later Malaysia in 1963.

Culture

With a population of one million, Penang is a melting pot of culture. Apart from the three main racial communities of Malaysia - Malay, Chinese and Indian - there are Arabs and Eurasians, the latter being a result of inter-racial marriages. As it is, one is exposed to a variety of cultural experiences which give the island an added touch of colour.

Many of the lifestyles of the people are inevitably reflected as one passes through serene Malay kampongs surrounded by fruit plantations, rubber estates and padi fields; the bustling Chinatown at Lebuh Kimberley and Lebuh Acheen; and 'Little India' at Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling.

At the first sign of dusk, the city reveals another facade of its exciting life. As the night sets in and the city lights come on, the evening pulsates with promise. For those who have brought their dancing shoes, there are numerous night spots throughout the city to dance away the night. Most hotels have discotheques and/or live bands to liven up the evening for their guest. On occasion, concerts and cultural shows are staged at various public places in the city. Bars and pubs are open till late in the night.

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