Langkawi

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Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia's Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba.

1 Geography
- 1.1 Continental drift
2 History
3 Transport
4 Tourism
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Map of Langkawi and environs

Langkawi lies north of the Straits of Malacca in the southern Andaman Sea near the border between Malaysia and Thailand. Only a few kilometres to the north lies the neighbouring Thai island of Ko Tarutao. The island group's main town, on the main island, is Kuah.

Langkawi's highest point is Gunung Raya, rising to 890 m above sea level in the main island's central-eastern area.[1]

[edit] Continental drift

According to a continental drift theory, the huge landmass of Gondwana split into smaller landmasses such as Africa, Australia, India and Langkawi 500 million years ago during the Cambrian Age. Hills in the north-western part of Langkawi Island (including Mat Chincang Hill) are formed during this continental drift.

[edit] History

The name "Langkawi" is believed to be related to the kingdom of Langkasuka, itself a version of the Malay negeri alang-kah suka ("the land of all one's wishes"), centred in modern-day Kedah. The historical record is sparse, but a Chinese Liang Dynasty record (c. 500 AD) refers to the kingdom of "Langgasu" as being founded in the 1st century AD. 'Langkawi' means Eagle Island, it may be noted, and indeed there is a great abundance of eagles in the area. In Kuah, the capital, there is a huge eagle monument in Eagle Square which commemorates the origin of Langkawi's name.

Langkawi eventually came under the influence of the Sultanate of Kedah, but Kedah was conquered in 1821 by Siam and Langkawi along with it. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 transferred power to the British, which held the state until independence, except for a brief period of Thai rule under the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II. Thai influences remain visible in the culture and food of Langkawi.

[edit] Transport

From Kuah, there are ferry connections to Satun in southern Thailand, to Penang, to Kuala Kedah and to Kuala Perlis. Langkawi International Airport and the harbour at Telok Ewa lie on the west coast. The whole island has a well developed road network.

[edit] Tourism

Sheltered by the mountainous backbone of Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi escapes the northeastern winter monsoon entirely and enjoys sunny skies when the eastern provinces are flooded. Coupled with natural white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage and craggy mountain peaks – but hampered by inaccessibility – the island was at one time touted as "Malaysia's best-kept secret".

Langkawi remained a sleepy backwater until 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status with the intention of promoting tourism. The island's airport was upgraded and ferry links were increased.

Today, Langkawi competes with nearby Penang for the title of Malaysia's largest tourist draw. Resorts and 5-star hotels line the beaches and, in the winter high season, direct flights land from as far as Europe and Japan.

Langkawi is affected by the milder western monsoon (May-September), and while diving is possible at Pulau Payar, water clarity tends to be poor.

Langkawi also offers an 'Anna and the King' museum, situated in Oriental Village, created from the props of the movie, which was partly filmed in Langkawi.

The 'Welcome' board greets you upon arrival via the sea.	The giant eagle statue in Eagle Square, Kuah viewed from behind	The same eagle viewed from front	Paddy fields in Langkawi
Cenang Beach	View of the northern Langkawi area from the cable car station.

[edit] External links

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v • d • e Kedah Darul Aman
Districts	Baling • Bandar Baharu • Kota Setar • Kuala Muda • Kubang Pasu • Kulim • Langkawi• Padang Terap • Pendang • Sik • Yan
City	Alor Star (capital)
Towns	Anak Bukit • Baling • Bandar Baharu • Bedong • Bukit Kayu Hitam • Changlun • Guar Chempedak • Gurun • Jeniang • Jitra • Kodiang • Kota Sarang Semut • Kuah • Kuala Kedah • Kuala Ketil • Kuala Nerang • Kulim • Langgar • Lunas • Merbok • Padang Matsirat • Pendang • Pokok Sena • Sik • Sintok • Sungai Petani • Tokai • Yan
Islands	Pulau Langkawi • Pulau Payar