PULAU LANGKAWI
Langkawi,(Jawi:لانكاوي ) officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah(Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah[1]) is an archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary islands are revealed at low tide [1]) 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 the capital and largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island[2].
Langkawi means reddish brown eagle in colloquial Malay. The Malay word for eagle is helang - shortened is "lang". Kawi means the colour reddish brown.[citation needed][edit]Etymology
[edit]Geography
Langkawi, a cluster of 99 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 47,848hectares, while the main island of Langkawi itself has a total of 32,000 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 limestoneridges. Two-thirds of the island is dominated by forest-covered mountains, hills and natural vegetation.
The island's oldest geological formation, Gunung Matchincang, was the first part ofSouth-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.
[edit]Climate and Weather
A sunny, hot and humid, tropical climate with an average annual temperature of about 32 degrees Celsius. The rainy season is during August/September, although there are occasional showers throughout the year.
[edit]Demographics
Kedahan Malay made up the majority in Langkawi, followed by Chinese, Indians, and Thai. Other Malays include PattaniMalays.[citation needed]
Islam is practised primarily by the Malays. Other major religions are Hinduism (mainly among Indians), Buddhism (mainly among Chinese and Thai) and Christianity.[citation needed]
[edit]Population
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 65000 of which 90% are Malays. The other ethnic groups consist mainly of Chinese, Indians and Thais.
[edit]Politics
[edit]Federal Parliament
Langkawi district representatives in the Federal Parliament (Dewan Rakyat)
Parliament | Seat Name | Member of Parliament | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| P4 | Langkawi | YB.Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar bin Taib | Barisan Nasional (BN) |
[edit]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 Dato' IR Nawawi Ahmad | Barisan Nasional (BN) |
[edit]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.
The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) developmentprogram 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.
To enhance Langkawi’s position as a world-class tourist destination,the NCER is working to attract further world-class hotels and holiday resorts to the island.
There are also initiatives to increase the range of attractions in Langkawi, to diversify the tourism product. Planned attractions include: a marine conservation centre, fruit framing, adventure tourism, exhibition centres, arts and cultural centre, a zoo, day cruises, factory outlet shopping.[citation needed]
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.[3]
[edit]Tourism
On June 1, 2007, Langkawi Island has been given a World Geopark status by UNESCO.[4] Three of its main conservation area in Langkawi Geopark;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.
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. The beach is contoured by tall coconuts and casuarinas. Pantai Tengah is separated from Cenang by a small cape. 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 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 theLangkawi Sky Bridge is located.
Tourists can enter into the island via ferry from Kuala Perlis or by flight from Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia, provides budget connections to the island.
[edit]Education
[edit]Primary
- SK Bayas
- SK Ewa
- SK Kedawang
- SK Kelibang
- SK Kilim
- SK Kuala Teriang
- SK Langkawi
- SK Lubuk Cempedak
- SK Nyior Chabang
- SK Padang Mat Sirat
- SK Penghulu Ahmad
- SK Selat Bagan Nyior
- SK Seri Lagenda
- SK Seri Negeri
- SK Sungai Menghulu
- SK Temonyong
- SK Tuba
- SK Ulu Melaka
- SJK(C) Chung Hwa
- SJK(C) Min Nam
- SJK (T) Ladang Sungai Raya
[edit]Secondary
- SMK Ayer Hangat
- SMK Kedawang
- SMK Kelibang
- SMK Langkawi Pulau Tuba
- SMK Mahsuri
- SMK Tengku Putra
- SM Teknik Langkawi
- Maktab Mahmud Langkawi
- Maktab Rendah Sains Mara Langkawi
[edit]Tertiary
- Kolej Komuniti Langkawi
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