Penang (in Malayan Pulau Pinang ) is an island of 293 km ² on the North-western coast of the Malayan Péninsule. It is also the name of the one of the States of Malaysia.

Geography

The State de Penang made up of the island of Penang (with the town of George Town) and of a continental band, encroaching on the Kedah, named district of Seberang Perai ( other side of Perai ). The zone accommodates many industries. The principal cities are there Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam .

History

The island of Penang belonged to the Kedah before being about it detached by the English Compagnie of the Eastern Indies on August 12th 1786. The continental fringe (today Seberang Perai), was yielded to the company in 1790. The English called it province of Wellesley according to Richard Wellesley, first marquis de Wellesley, governor-general of the the British Indies of 1797 to 1805.

October 28th, 1914, it was the theater of a naval action between French and Russian ships, and the German corsair Emden.

The town of George Town

The British baptized their new colony in the honor of the king George III In 1826, the counters of Penang, Melaka and of Singapore, became share of the colony of the Comptoirs of the straits. The city knew a continuous growth, with its activity of trade although it was made ram the pawn by Singapore on the transcontinental road.

Population

Immigration continues of Chinese of the Fujian ( Hokkien ) since the 19th century until the Thirties explains the majority of Chinese origin. Nowadays, Penang is the only state of Malaysia without Malayan majority.

The island was a free port until in 1969. This statute is now affected with Langkawi. Nevertheless, tourism ensures an important source of income for Penang. Moreover specialization in industry of the semiconductors does of them one of the principal places of production in Asia.

Curiosities

  • the turn of the island which makes approximately 40 km

  • the island is dominated by peaks culminating with 830 meters. Most known is that of Bukit Bendera (Mount of the banner) or Penang Hill . A Funiculaire climbs since the district of Air Hitam. The top, considering its altitude was a moderated holiday, privileged by the British colonists. A seal of antan perdure among the large unaltered colonial houses left by time. This impression of retirement is accentuated by the absence of road access to the top. The vegetation is luxuriant and the calm absolute. It is in contrast with the development that knew bubbling it Georgetown.
  • the road bridge (Penang Bridge). It connects the island to the continent. With its 13,5 km length, it is longest of all the Southeast Asia. Opened in 1988, after five years of work.
  • the Khoo Kongsi , typical building of the organization of the Clan S Chinese or kongsi , placing several families in a Community unit.
  • architectural Heritage of the old city.

Religious buildings

  • the temple with the snakes
  • the Pagode (Chinese) of the “ Kek Lok If . Popular place of pilgrimage, in the district of Air Hitam. It is built with hillside and dominates the city.
  • the pagoda (thaie) of Chaiya Mangkalaram . With a Buddha lying 33 m length which makes some largest of this type.
  • the pagoda (Burmese), facing the preceding one, with a very pleasant garden
  • the Mosque of Jalan Kapitan Keling . Oldest of the city.
  • the Cathedral Anglican E St-Georges. Neo-classic building of style with pediment and columns

Transport and communications

Culture and kitchen

Penang is re-elected for the richness of its kitchen, fruit of the meeting of several influences (Indian, Chinese and Malayan). The inhabitants like to eat in small pubs posted along the roads and opened practically uninterrupted ( Food stall ).

The most known dishes:

  • the Assam laksa . A sour fish bubble with thick noodles and shrimps. It is furnished by sheets with mint, believed onions.
  • the Nasi kandar , a rice drying oven set with vegetable dishes, meats or fish. A speciality indo-Moslem woman whose flavor hides in subtleties of the variations of curry.
  • the Cendol is a dessert made up of plundered ice, of coconut milk, green dyes and of cane sugar.
  • the Nasi lemak, like everywhere else
  • the Satay , skewers of meat (ox or chicken) to the sauce
  • the Tank kuey tiao : noodles fried with piquant sauce, soya, shrimps, egg, bean sprouts and clove. The whole is fried in fat of pig, with crusty plugs, characteristic of this dish.

External bonds

  • : Site of information on Malaysia and Penang

States of Malaysia

Zh-yue: 檳城

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