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Langkawi

Coordinates: 6°21′N 99°48′E / 6.350°N 99.800°E / 6.350; 99.800
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Langkawi Permata Kedah
(Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah)
Motto: 
Bandaraya Pelancongan (Template:Lang-en)
CountryMalaysia
StateKedah
Establishment1957
Granted
municipal status		2001
Government
 • Yang Di-Pertua
(Mayor)		En. Zabudin bin Hat
Area
 • City
478.5 km2 (184.7 sq mi)
Population
 • City
64,792
 • Density140/km2 (350/sq mi)
 • Metro
64,792
Time zoneUTC+8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)Not observed
Postal code
07xxx
International dialling code prefix+6049 (landline only)
Websitehttp://mplbp.gov.my

Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi the Jewel of Kedah (Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah) is an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. On July 15, 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah had consented to the change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his Golden Jubilee Celebration. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 64,792, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba. Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island.[1]

Etymology

Dataran Helang (Eagle Square)

Langkawi means island of the reddish-brown eagle in colloquial Malay.[2] The Malay word for eagle is helang - which is shortened to "lang". It was given the title of "Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah" in 2008 by Kedah's Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah as part of his golden jubilee to impress on tourists that it was part of Kedah.[3]

History

A panoramic view of Kuah town, the commercial center of Pulau Langkawi.

Langkawi was traditionally thought to be cursed. However, in 1986 then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad decided to transform it into a tourist resort, helping to plan many of the islands buildings himself.[4]

Geography

Langkawi, a cluster of 105 islands separated from mainland Malaysia by the Straits of Malacca, is a district of the state of Kedah in Northern Malaysia and lies approximately 51 km west of Kedah. The total land mass of the islands is 47,848 hectares. The main island spans about 25 km from north to south and slightly more for east and west. The coastal areas consist of flat, alluvial plains punctuated with limestone ridges. Two-thirds of the island is dominated by forest-covered mountains, hills and natural vegetation. [citation needed]

The island's oldest geological formation, Gunung Matchincang, was the first part of South-East Asia to rise from the seabed in the Cambrian period more than half a billion years ago. The oldest part of the formation is observable at Teluk Datai to the north-west of the island, where the exposed outcrop consists of mainly sandstone (quartzite) in the upper parts and shale and mudstone in the lower parts of the sequence. [citation needed]

Climate

Langkawi receives more than 2,400 mm (94 in) of rain annually. Langkawi has a true dry season from December until February while March to November is a long raining season. August is the wettest month, when it normally receives more than 500 mm (20 in).

Langkawi average rainfall statistics can be found at Annual Mean Rainfall Locations In Malaysia 2014

Climate data for Langkawi Precipitation In 2014 (Mean Rainfall : 2002-2013)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average rainfall mm (inches) 18.3
(0.72) 		45.4
(1.79) 		227.7
(8.96) 		198.3
(7.81) 		201.1
(7.92) 		212.5
(8.37) 		248.9
(9.80) 		487.4
(19.19) 		318.4
(12.54) 		280.3
(11.04) 		238.3
(9.38) 		68.4
(2.69) 		2,545
(100.21)
Source: Malaysian Meteorological Department
Climate data for Langkawi Precipitation In 2013
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average precipitation mm (inches) 11.2
(0.44) 		78
(3.1) 		97
(3.8) 		321.4
(12.65) 		166.6
(6.56) 		338.4
(13.32) 		326.8
(12.87) 		326
(12.8) 		365.6
(14.39) 		370.8
(14.60) 		231.6
(9.12) 		32
(1.3) 		2,665.4
(104.95)
Source: Malaysian Meteorological Department
Climate data for Langkawi Precipitation In 2012
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average precipitation mm (inches) 37
(1.5) 		152.8
(6.02) 		160.8
(6.33) 		228.6
(9.00) 		195.4
(7.69) 		51
(2.0) 		317.6
(12.50) 		286.6
(11.28) 		301.8
(11.88) 		260.6
(10.26) 		272.8
(10.74) 		61.6
(2.43) 		2,326.6
(91.63)
Source: Malaysian Meteorological Department
Climate data for Langkawi Precipitation In 2011
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average precipitation mm (inches) 4.8
(0.19) 		5.2
(0.20) 		430
(16.9) 		113.2
(4.46) 		168.8
(6.65) 		233.6
(9.20) 		140.8
(5.54) 		693
(27.3) 		426.2
(16.78) 		225.4
(8.87) 		90.4
(3.56) 		46.4
(1.83) 		2,577.8
(101.48)
Source: Malaysian Meteorological Department
Principle Meteorological Station - Langkawi
Year Rainfall
2012
2,326.6 mm (91.60 in)
2011
2,577.8 mm (101.49 in)
2010
2,398.2 mm (94.42 in)
2009
2,801.4 mm (110.29 in)
2008
2,343.3 mm (92.26 in)
2007
2,643.8 mm (104.09 in)
2006
2,960.6 mm (116.56 in)
2005
2,697.6 mm (106.20 in)
2004
1,822.7 mm (71.76 in)
2003
3,166.7 mm (124.67 in)
2002
2,135.6 mm (84.08 in)
Source Department Of Statistics Malaysia

Demographics

Islam is practised primarily by ethnic Malays. Other major religions are Hinduism (mainly among Indians), Buddhism (mainly among Chinese and Thai) and Christianity (mostly Chinese).

Only four of the 99 islands are inhabited - Pulau Langkawi (the main island), Pulau Tuba, Pulau Rebak and Pulau Dayang Bunting. The population is approximately 99000 of which 90% are Malays. The other ethnic groups consist mainly of Chinese, Indians and Thais.

Politics

Federal parliament

Langkawi district representatives in the Federal Parliament of Malaysia (Dewan Rakyat):

Parliament Seat Name Member of Parliament Party
P4 Langkawi YB.Datuk Ir.Nawawi Hj Ahmad Barisan Nasional (BN)

State assembly seats

List of Langkawi district representatives in the State Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri)

Parliament State Seat Name State Assemblyman Party
P4 N1 Ayer Hangat YB Mohd. Rawi Abdul Hamid Barisan Nasional (BN)
P4 N2 Kuah YB NOR SAIDI BIN NAYAN Barisan Nasional (BN)

Economy

An agro-based economy of padi and rubber cultivation and fisheries is fast being overtaken by a tourism-driven economy, taking into consideration the natural, unspoiled, ecological beauty of the island and major governmental emphasis. [citation needed]

The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) development program is a Malaysia Government initiative to accelerate economic growth in the north of Peninsular Malaysia – encompassing the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and the north of Perak.

The target for NCER is to achieve increased tourism receipts per visitor from MYR1,890 (US$600) in 2005 to MYR3,034 (US$963) by 2012.

Annual tourist expenditure is targeted to increase from MYR9.0 billion (US$2.86 billion) in 2005 to MYR21.8 billion (US$6.9 billion) in 2012 and MYR64.5 billion (US$20.4 billion) in 2020.[5] [dead link‍]

Tourism

The Langkawi Sky Bridge above the rainforest canopy

On June 1, 2007, Langkawi Island was given a World Geopark status by UNESCO.[6] Three of its main conservation areas in Langkawi Geopark are Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest park (Island of the Pregnant Maiden Lake). These three parks are the most popular tourism area within Langkawi Geopark.

The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park (The Kilim River)

This area actually consists of three river estuaries that stretch from the Kisap village approximately 10 km to Tanjung Rhu and they are all interconnected. They are rich in wildlife and tourists may see hairy nosed sea otters, brown winged kingfishers, monitor lizards and swimming macaque monkeys. Limestone, inherently porous, forms caves and there are several in the mangroves. One of Langkawi's natural beauty spots is the Pirate Lagoon just outside the river. Technically this is a collapsed cave (hong) consisting of a cave entrance from the sea emerging into a hidden lagoon with towering, limestone escarpments and smaller caves. [citation needed]

Langkawi Islands

There are two island areas: the Southern Islands, with a heavy tourist population and the islands to the north east which are more secluded without tourist traffic. Langun Island has a fresh-water lake like Pregnant Maiden Lake only without the tourists and has Sand Spit Beach on its south-facing orientation. Dendang Island next to it forms a bay popular with Langkawi sailing yacht tour operators who favour the area for its natural beauty and peace. [citation needed]

Some of the most popular beaches are Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Burau Bay, Pantai Kok, and Datai Bay. Pantai Cenang is a picturesque beach with seemingly unending stretches of fine white sand. It has numerous restaurants and bars for evening entertainment, several hosting live music and for watching the sun set. The beach is contoured by tall coconuts and casuarinas. Pantai Tengah is separated from Cenang by a small cape. It too faces the setting sun and is populated more by hotels than bars, making it less busy in the evening. Burau Bay, fringed by rocky outcrops, is the favorite place of migratory birds in Langkawi. Pantai Kok is a peaceful beach with the backdrop of limestone hills. Datai Bay has a combination of forests and sea. The milky beach is backed by lush forest.

The Langkawi Cable Car takes visitors up to the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang, where the Langkawi Sky Bridge is located. The Sky Bridge has been closed for 2 years and remains closed in 2014.

Tourists can enter the island via ferry from Kuala Perlis or by flight from Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia and Fireflyz provides budget connection to the island.

Transportation

A Nissan Sylphy taxi in Langkawi.

The island of Langkawi can be reached by sea and air. The Langkawi Jetty Point connects the island to main destinations like Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, Penang and Tamalang. There's also ferry service to Satun town and to Ko Lipe island in Thailand. The Langkawi International Airport is one of 7 international airports in Malaysia and connects the island to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang and also Subang. On the island, a main road runs through the whole island.

Education

Secondary

SMK Mahsuri
  • SMK Ayer Hangat
  • SMK Kedawang
  • SMK Kelibang
  • SMK Langkawi Pulau Tuba
  • SMK Mahsuri
  • SMK Tunku Putra
  • SM Teknik Langkawi
  • Maktab Mahmud Langkawi
  • Maktab Rendah Sains Mara Langkawi (owned by MARA, a development agency of the government of Malaysia)

Tertiary

  • Kolej Komuniti Langkawi

Media

The television and radio in Langkawi can be received from Gunung Raya, Gunung Jerai, Padang Pauh Satun, Thailand Yala Thailand Songkhla Thailand And Phatthalung Thailand

Television

  • TV1 (Ch35; from Gunung Raya)
  • TV2 (Ch39; from Gunung Raya)
  • TV3 (Ch33; from Gunung Raya)
  • NTV7 (Ch37; from Gunung Jerai)
  • 8TV (Ch44; from Gunung Jerai)
  • TV9 (Ch48; from Gunung Jerai)
  • TV-AlHijrah (Ch32; from Alor Setar Tower)
  • ARMY-5 (Ch7; from Satun, Thailand)
  • MCOT-9 (Ch9; from Satun, Thailand)
  • MCOT-3 (Ch11; from Satun, Thailand)
  • TPBS (Ch27; from Satun, Thailand)
  • PRD-11 (Ch31; from Satun, Thailand)
  • BBTV-7 (Ch51; from Satun, Thailand)

Radio

  • ERA FM (90.7 MHz; from Gunung Raya)
  • MY FM (100.1 MHz; from Gunung Raya)
  • hitz fm (92.4 MHz; from Gunung Raya)
  • Red FM (98.1 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • Langkawi FM (104.8 MHz; from Gunung Raya)
  • Kedah FM (105.7 MHz; from Gunung Raya)
  • Radio Thailand Satun (95.5 MHz and 99.5 MHz; from Satun, Thailand)
  • SINAR FM (100.9 MHz; from Gunung Raya)
  • Perlis FM (102.9 MHz; from Padang Pauh)
  • Ai FM (101.3 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • Traxx FM (98.7 MHz from Gunung Jerai)
  • 94PFM We Love Satun (94.0 MHz; from Satun, Thailand)
  • Life FM 93.75 (93.75 MHz; from Satun, Thailand)
  • MCOT Satun (93.25 MHz; from Satun Thailand)
  • Minnal FM (96.7 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • One FM (87.8 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • HOT FM (88.2 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • 988 (96.1 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • MIX FM (91.0 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • LITE FM (104.4 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • MELODY FM (106.5 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • THR Raaga (101.9 MHz; from Gunung Raya)
  • IKIM.FM (89.0 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • Easy FM (90.0 MHz; from Satun, Thailand)
  • Satun Radio (97.75 MHz; from Satun, Thailand)
  • Modern Wave (98.4 MHz; from Satun, Thailand)
  • Smile Radio (92.2 MHz; from Satun, Thailand)
  • FLY FM (99.1 MHz; from Alor Setar Tower)
  • Radio Klasik (94.9 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • Nasional FM (100.5 MHz; from Gunung Jerai)
  • Green Radio (FM 89.5 MHz; from Manang District Satun Thailand)
  • 105.25 FM (from Satun, Thailand)
  • Idea Radio (99.0 MHz; from Satun)
  • Radio Thailand Yala (FM 92.0 MHz ; From Yala Thailand)
  • Radio Thailand Songkhla FM 90.5 MHz & FM 102.25 MHz; from Hat Yai District Songkhla Thailand)
  • MCOT Songkhla (FM 96.5 MHz ;from Hat Yai District Songkhla Thailand)
  • Sunshine Radio Songkhla (FM 94.5 MHz from Hat Yai District Songkhla Thailand)
  • Royal Thai Air Force Songkhla (FM 107.0 MHz from Hat Yai District Songkhla Thailand
  • R Radio Network Satun (FM 105.0 MHz From Khuan Don District, Satun Thailand)
  • MCOT Phatthalung (FM 95.75 MHz From Phatthalung Thailand
  • Tamruat Phuuthon Phaak Kao (FM 91.75 MHz From Tha Phae District Satun Thailand)

See also

  • Laman Padi Langkawi
    Laman Padi Langkawi
  • Langkawi Crocodile Farm
    Langkawi Crocodile Farm
  • Langkawi Craft and Cultural Complex
    Langkawi Craft and Cultural Complex
  • Beach monkey at Beras Basah Island
    Beach monkey at Beras Basah Island
  • Sunset at Cenang Island on Langkawi, Malaysia.
    Sunset at Cenang Island on Langkawi, Malaysia.
  • Machinchang Range towards Thailand and Pantai Cenang.
    Machinchang Range towards Thailand and Pantai Cenang.

Sister cities

References

  1. ^ "Shopping in Langkawi". ABC Langkawi. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
  2. ^ Holly Hughes; Sylvie Murphy; Alexis Lipsitz Flippin (14 January 2010). Frommer's 500 Extraordinary Islands. John Wiley & Sons. p. 237. ISBN 978-0-470-59518-3. Retrieved 9 February 2014. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Majid, Embun (16 July 2008). "It's Langkawi Permata Kedah now". The Star Online. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  4. ^ Anthony Spaeth (9 December 1996). "Bound for Glory". Time magazine. Archived from the original on 17 March 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  5. ^ http://www.klia.com.my/routeskl2008/pdf/LGK.pdf
  6. ^ "Langkawi given geopark status". The Star Online. June 8, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
  7. ^ http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=103847&sectionid=351020108
  8. ^ http://www.kish.ir/HomePage.aspx?TabID=0&Site=DouranPortal&Lang=en-US/
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6°21′N 99°48′E / 6.350°N 99.800°E / 6.350; 99.800

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