Langkawi 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. By far the largest of the
islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000, 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.
The name "Langkawi" is believed to be related to the kingdom of
Langkasuka, centred in modern-day Kedah. The historical record is sparse, but a
Chinese Liang Dynasty record (c. 500 AD) refers to the kingdom of
"Langgasu" as being founded in the 1st century AD. 'Langkawi' mean's
Eagle Island, it may be noted, and indeed there is a great abundance of eagles
in the area. In Kuah, there is an eagle monument in Eagle Square which
commemorates the origin of Langkawi's name.
Langkawi is also the site of the Mahsuri legend. The legend speaks of a young
woman who was accused of adultery and was executed by the public despite her
pleading innocence. Mahsuri, before her death, made a curse on the island for
seven generations of bad luck. Langkawi eventually came under the influence of
the Sultanate of Kedah, but Kedah was conquered in 1821 by Siam and Langkawi
along with it. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 transferred power to the
British, who held the state until independence, except for a brief period of
Thai rule under the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II. Thai
influences remain visible in the culture and food of Langkawi, while Thai
language is still understood by many on the island.
Langkawi was the site of the Langkawi Declaration, issued by the Heads of
Government of the Commonwealth of Nations and making environmental
sustainability one of the priorities of the Commonwealth.
Transportation
From the Kuah jetty, there are high-speed ferry connections to Satun in
southern Thailand, Pulau Payar, Penang, Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis in the
mainland of Peninsular Malaysia. Star Cruises ships dock at the Awana Porto
Malai harbour on the west coast of the island. Malaysia Airlines has daily
flights to Langkawi whilst AirAsia flies from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Kota
Kinabalu. SilkAir flies to Langkawi from Singapore and there is a
Penang-Langkawi flight route operated by Firefly airline. The Langkawi island
has a well developed road network. Taxis and car rentals are available at the
Langkawi International Airport.
Tourism
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On June 1, 2007, Langkawi Island has been given a World Geopark status by
UNESCO.[1] Three of its main Geopark components are Mount Machincang Cambrian
Geoforest Park, Kilim Geoforest Park and Pulau Tasik Dayang Bunting (Island of
the Pregnant Maiden Lake).
Sheltered by the mountainous backbone of Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi escapes
the northeastern winter monsoon entirely and enjoys sunny skies when the
eastern provinces are flooded. Coupled with natural white sand beaches, lush
jungle foliage and craggy mountain peaks—but hampered by inaccessibility—the
island was at one time touted as "Malaysia's best-kept secret".
Langkawi remained a sleepy backwater until 1987, when the island was granted
tax-free status with the intention of promoting tourism. Subsequently the
island's airport was upgraded and ferry links were increased.
Beginning 1990s, Langkawi competes with nearby Penang for the title of
Malaysia's largest tourist draw. Resorts and 5-star hotels line the beaches and
in the winter high season, direct flights land from as far as Europe and Japan.
Besides being tax-free, the beach and eagle, another attraction in Langkawi is
the Cable Car to the tops of Gunung Mat Cincang at 705 m above sea level.
Galeria Perdana a collection of over 2500 gift to the fourth Prime Minister of
Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad.
Langkawi is affected by the milder western monsoon (May-September), and while
diving is possible at Pulau Payar, water clarity tends to be poor.
Langkawi used to be the starting point of the annual international cycling race
Tour de Langkawi cycling event, however after 2000, Langkawi was omitted from
the race itinerary. Langkawi also hosts the biennial Langkawi International
Maritime and Air Show (LIMA).