Penang

Penang (Malay: Pulau Pinang, Simplified Chinese: ??, Malay (Jawi script): بينانج) is a Malaysian state located on the north-west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Related Topics:
Malay - Simplified Chinese - Malay (Jawi script) - State - Peninsular Malaysia

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The state is geographically and administratively divided into two sections:

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• Penang Island – a 293km² island located in the Straits of Malacca; and
• Province Wellesley – a 760km² strip of land located on the Southeast Asian mainland.

The state has the highest population density in Malaysia with 2,031.74 people per square kilometre on the island and 865.99 people per square kilometre on the mainland. The ethnic composition in 1995 was: Chinese (572,700 or 55%), Malay (446,700 or 33%), Indian (127,000 or 11%), Other (6,200), other Bumiputra (1,300). Penang is the only state in Peninsular Malaysia in which Malays are in the minority.

Related Topics:
Population density - Malay

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The name "Penang" comes from the word "pinang", which refers to the betel nut tree (Areca catechu). The name "Pulau Pinang" translated literally from Malay means "pinang island".

Related Topics:
Pinang - Betel nut

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The state capital of Penang, George Town and its principal town on the mainland, Butterworth has a close proximity to several satellite towns in Kedah and Perak, forming a large urban area in northwestern Peninsular Malaysia.

Related Topics:
George Town - Butterworth - Satellite town - Kedah - Perak

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Penang: History ►