Kuala Terengganu
Kuala Terengganu
كوالا ترڠڬانو | |
|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia |
| State | Terengganu |
| City status | 1 January 2008 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Datuk Mat Razali Kassim |
| Area | |
| • Total | 605 km2 (233.59 sq mi) |
| Population (200) | |
| • Total | 357,256 |
| • Density | 590.51/km2 (1,529.21/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | Not observed |
| Website | http://mpkt.terengganu.gov.my/ |
Kuala Terengganu (colloquially abbreviated as KT; Jawi: كوالا ترڠڬانو) is the largest city as well as the state and royal capital of Terengganu state, Malaysia. On 1 January 2008, Kuala Terengganu was awarded city status. The city has a population of 357,256[1] and is also the seat of a district of the same name. Kuala Terengganu is located about 500 kilometers northeast of Kuala Lumpur on a promontory surrounded on three sides by the South China Sea. The name means the "river mouth of Terengganu", referring to the broad expanse of the Terengganu River estuary which empties into the ocean at this point. Kuala Terengganu is also the name of the parliamentary constituency in which the city is situated.[citation needed]
History
There was only one street, called Kampung Cina (Chinatown), when Kuala Terengganu was founded. A family of Chinese traders who were trading between China and the Malay Peninsula established it as early as the 15th century. This is evidenced by the Chinese families who live in Kampung Cina (Chinatown) and the buildings which are hundreds of years old.
It soon grew into an important trading post between the two countries. However, after the Melaka Empire conquered the town, its influence as a leading port in the Southeast Asian region diminished as most of the traders preferred to stop at Melaka, which was the center of trade between China, India and Southeast Asia.
Economy
Main economic activities include retail and wholesale trade in food items, fabric and apparels, fisheries, agriculture, service industries, and tourism, particularly as a jumping-off point for the nearby Perhentian Islands.
Tourism
Places of interest include Chinatown, Pasar Payang (Central Market), the Sultan's Palace, the State Museum, Pulau Duyong.
Monsoon Cup
The Monsoon Cup 2005 celebrated its inauguration and debut as the 50th official event of the Swedish Match Tour (http://www.swedishmatchtour.com/), and serves as the Malaysian leg for the prestigious international sailing event. Dubbed ‘The Formula One of Sailing’, this professional sailing series was formed in 2000 to unite the world’s best match-race regattas under one banner. The Swedish Match Tour comprises nine events in nine specially selected locations around the world. As the leading professional sailing series in the world, the Tour events are recognized as must-attend regattas on the match-race circuit. The Monsoon Cup 2005 was held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from 29 November to 4 December 2005. The Monsoon Cup for the 2006 now offers the highest prize money in the world (RM1 million) for a match racing event with the sponsorship of Mr Richard Mille of Richard Mille Watches. Richard Mille will also be the official time keeper for the event. The Monsoon Cup 2006 will be held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from the 29 November to 3 December 2006 (http://www.monsooncup.com.my).
Transport
The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river. On the other side of the Terengganu River, there is a medium-sized airport serving domestic routes.
References
External links
State of Terengganu | |
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Capital: Kuala Terengganu | |
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