Penang
Malaysian state, leading exporter, densely populated, culturally diverse.
Penang is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, divided by the Strait of Malacca into Penang Island (site of the capital George Town) and Seberang Perai on the mainland. Penang is also Malaysia's most densely populated state and one of the most urbanised, with a culturally diverse population including Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians, Siamese, and expatriates.
- capital
- George Town
- GDP_per_capita_rank
- 2nd among Malaysian states
- former_colonial_status
- Part of the Straits Settlements, a British crown colony
Lore & Background
Light landed on 17 July and took formal possession on 11 August, renaming the island Prince of Wales Island and founding George Town. Penang's economy shifted from entrepôt trade to electronics manufacturing and the tertiary sector in the late 20th century.
Reader's Guide
Penang's significance lies in its historical role as a British free port and its modern status as Malaysia's economic powerhouse. Today, Penang is Malaysia's leading exporter, with the second highest GDP per capita, and its Penang International Airport is the nation's second busiest by aircraft movements. The state's legacy includes its transformation from a colonial entrepôt to a hub of electronics manufacturing and services, while maintaining its dense, urbanised, and multicultural character.
Did You Know?
- Penang is colloquially referred to as the 'Pearl of the Orient' and 'The Island of Pearls'.
- The name Penang comes from the Malay 'Pulau Pinang', meaning 'areca nut island'.
- Archaeologists discovered the 'Penang Woman', a Neolithic human remains, in Seberang Perai.
- During World War II, Penang Island was renamed Tojo-to after Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.
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