One wouldn’t expect such a small state to be so packed with attractions, historical monuments and buildings, and a bustling modern economy all in one place, at the same time. Yet, Penang, located on Peninsular Malaysia’s northwestern coast, has all of these, making it one of the few cities in the world that successfully melds old and modern times, and a place where you’ll discover something new at every turn. It’s known as the pearl of the orient, and for a good reason: the state has much to offer to its residents and visitors, so you’ll have no shortage of fun while you’re here. Penang is the best place to go if you want to have a new adventure every time.

Two Portions of Penang

The state of Penang is divided into two halves by its land area: the first would be Penang Island off the main coast, which is nearly three hundred square km large, and the second is Province Wellesley, part of the main island. It’s seven hundred and sixty square km large, and the Malacca Strait sits on the western side, with the mainland surrounding the rest of the province.

On the northern part of Borneo sits Sabah, also known as the land below the wind, owing to its location just below the region in the Philippines, another country, which typhoons frequently occur. The state of Sabah is also the second largest in Malaysia, and the control of the area has passed from the Sultanate of Sulu and back to Malaysia during the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. Sabah is rich in history, culture, and bustling economic activities.

With only eight hundred square kilometers in total land area, the Malaysian state of Perlis qualifies as it’s smallest, and the number of people here is also evenly matched with the land area, just above two hundred thousand people at last count. The state of Perlis is situated on the northerly side of the western coastal area in Malaysia. There are two provinces belonging to Thailand to the north of Perlis, namely Satun and Songkla.

The state has plenty of charm to keep you delighted when you stay in the area, with nice villages, breathtaking scenery and a relaxed pace of life, perfect for getting away from the rush of city life. There are also plenty of attractions to be found in the state, with a snake farm, Gua Kelam, and Perlis State Park, which has much to offer to its visitors and Wang Kelian Sunday Market, situated right on the border of Malaysia and Thailand. While you’re out shopping in the market, you’re actually crossing the boundary into Thailand, which is one unique part of the whole experience, aside from the many Malaysian and Thai wares up for sale there.

With the highest GDP among all the thirteen states of Malaysia, Selangor is the richest among these states, as well as being the second highest when it comes to GDP per capita. Not only is Selangor rich in revenues, but it is also a historical marvel, with origins dating back to the fifteenth century, and its role in helping the whole of the country evolve into what it is now is widely regarded. The state of Selangor is the most fully-developed among all the states in Malaysia, also the most urbanized and with the most industrial developments. It’s a true haven for modern businesses with its industrialized environment.

Demographics of Selangor

Selangor has the highest number of residents among the other states in Malaysia, at almost five million residents in the state. The largest ethnic group in Selangor would be those coming from Malay descent, at over half of the population, and Chinese descendants coming in second highest. Indians make up the last of the large ethnic groups, and those coming in from other ethnic backgrounds filling up the remainder. The central position of Selangor in Peninsular Malaysia has made the state a hub for industry and transportation routes, giving rise to a demand in migrants coming into the state for work. The population growth in Selangor is also the highest among all other states due to the added impact of illegal migrants coming into the city, not the least of which are aiming to go into Kuala Lumpur, the Federal Capital.