The Jewel of Kedah (Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah), Langkawi is the northernmost archipelago on the west side of Peninsular Malaysia, situated 30 km off the mainland. The islands are part of the Kedah Province, adjacent to the border with Thailand. The archipelago is made up of the main island of Langkawi and approximately 100 small islands around it; only four of them are inhabited. Langkawi’s natural landscape is a mix of densely vegetated rainforest hills and some very barren rocks.
The eponymous Langkawi Island (Pulau Langkawi) is by far the largest of the islands, with a population of some 64,792; Tuba Island is the only other inhabited island nearby. The Geopark, from the Cambrian to the Permian period, has Malaysia’s best-exposed and most complete Palaeozoic sedimentary series. Langkawi is very close to the border of Thailand, and the closest island, Koh Lipe, is just 30 minutes away by ferry. It is also an administrative district, with its largest city being the town of Kuah. With tens of thousands of visitors per year, Pentai Cenang is the most popular beach and tourist area in Langkawi.
Islands of Langkawi
Langkawi is an obligation free island; the island falls inside the region of Kedah and contains 479 square kilometers of tropical grounds. Most occupants of Langkawi are of Malay root (around 90%) trailed by a little Chinese and Indian people group; in the opposite of neighboring island Penang, where the dominant part is of the Chinese starting point. The Sibumasu Block broke out from Gondwanaland during the Early Permian, rifting northward and colliding with the East Malaya-Indochina Block to form the mainland of Southeast Asia. Later, the islands underwent a large tectonic event during the Mesozoic that culminated in the position of their various granitic rocks. At the same time, entire Peninsular Malaysia, including the islands of Langkawi, has been uplifted.
The main source of income for the island population after tourism is fishing, padi, and rubber cultivation. The island has a duty-free status; this suggests that prices should be a bit cheaper around the island, but we have never really seen this, because perfumes, liquor, and tobacco are mainly important. Some accepted that Langkawi is equivalent to, or identified with, the Lanka or Langkapuri referenced in Indian sources. Langkawi was verifiably home to sailors, for example, the orang laut or ocean individuals initially from the southern aspect of the Malay Peninsula, just as privateers and anglers.
Most of the geological growth was somewhat related to what had been happening since more than 550 million years ago in the old supercontinent Pangea and southern hemispheric Gondwanaland. Langkawi is now one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist destinations; more than 2.5 million tourists visit the island annually. Langkawi Island was granted UNESCO World Geopark status on 1st June 2007, which would eventually draw many more visitors to this beautiful island. Langkawi had been a sanctuary for privateers which influenced the northern aspect of the Strait of Malacca. In a progression of activities, between December 1945 and March 1946, the British cleared the privateers’ property base in Langkawi and Tarutao. The British kept on administering until Malaya picked up its freedom in 1957.
Beach view at Langkawi, Malaysia
Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, situated along the Straits of Malacca, popular as a historic trading route in South East Asia, has accumulated various legends, myths, and historical links with the surrounding region. The islands’ gross landmass is 47,848 hectares. Forest-covered mountains, hills, and natural vegetation occupy two-thirds of the island. Langkawi annually receives more than 2,400 mm (94 in) of rain. Langkawi is the first acquaintance with the beautiful country of Malaysia for many tourists, as it is not only one of Malaysia’s most beautiful islands; it is also very easily accessible.
Islam is practiced by ethnic Malays predominantly. Hinduism (mainly among Indians), Buddhism (mainly Chinese and Thai), and Christianity (mainly Chinese) are other important religions. Throughout the entire year, visitors/travelers can visit Langkawi; there is no real monsoon season. It can rain day by day (in some cases intensely) yet this is very ordinary in these pieces of the world. Should it downpour it, as a rule, doesn’t keep going for over 60 minutes. Travelers can enter the island through the ship from Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, and Penang
Beautiful hills, rivers, mountains, jungles, beautiful unspoiled beaches, waterfalls, rice fields, and quaint villages define the archipelago. There are two major island regions: the Southern Islands, with a greater tourist population, and the more secluded islands to the northeast, with little tourist traffic. The island has its own airport, and it is here that even foreign airlines fly. In addition to air transport, a substantial part of the transport goes by sea.
Information Sources:
