Malacca
Malacca (Malay: Melaka), officially the Historic State of Malacca (Malay: Melaka Negeri Bersejarah), is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, facing the Strait of Malacca. The state is bordered by Negeri Sembilan to the north and west and Johor to the south. The exclave of Tanjung Tuan also borders Negeri Sembilan to the north. Its capital is Malacca City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 7 July 2008. Malacca City is 148 kilometres (92 miles) southeast of Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur, 235 kilometres (146 miles) northwest of Johor's largest city Johor Bahru and 95 km (59 miles) northwest of Johor's second largest city, Batu Pahat.
Malacca
Melaka | |
|---|---|
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Malay | Melaka (Rumi) ملاک (Jawi) |
| • Chinese | 马六甲 (Simplified) 馬六甲 (Traditional) |
| • Tamil | மலாக்கா Malākkā (Transliteration) |
| Nickname(s): Negeri Bersejarah The Historic State | |
| Motto(s): Bersatu Teguh Firmly United | |
| Anthem: "Melaka Maju Jaya" "Malacca, Onwards Come!" | |
OpenStreetMap | |
| Coordinates: 2°12′N 102°15′E | |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Capital (and largest city) | Malacca City[a] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Parliamentary |
| • Yang di-Pertua Negeri | Mohd Ali Rustam |
| • Chief Minister | Ab Rauf Yusoh (BN-UMNO) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,664 km2 (642 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation (Bukit Gapis) | 512 m (1,680 ft) |
| Population (2023) | |
| • Total | 1,027,500 |
| Demonym | Malaccan |
| Human Development Index | |
| • HDI (2019) | 0.835 (very high) (4th) |
| Postal code | 75xxx to 78xxx |
| Calling code | 06 |
| ISO 3166 code | MY-04 |
| Vehicle registration | M |
| Malacca Sultanate | 15th century |
| Portuguese control | 24 August 1511 |
| Dutch control | 14 January 1641 |
| British control | 17 March 1824 |
| Japanese occupation | 11 January 1942 |
| Accession into the Malayan Union | 1 April 1946 |
| Accession into the Federation of Malaya | 1 February 1948 |
| Independence as part of the Federation of Malaya | 31 August 1957 |
| Website | www |
| ^[a] Ayer Keroh, Hang Tuah Jaya is the state administrative centre and the seat of the Malacca state government (executive branch & legislative branch. However, Malacca City remains the official capital of the Malacca state. | |
Malacca has diverse tropical rainforest and experiences an equatorial climate. Situated immediately south of the Titiwangsa Mountains, the state is mostly level and dotted with inselbergs, with Bukit Gapis as the highest point.
Although it was the location of one of the earliest Malay sultanates, namely the Malacca Sultanate, the local monarchy was abolished when the Portuguese conquered it in 1511. The head of state is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or Governor, rather than a Sultan. Malacca is noted for its unique history and it is one of the major tourist destinations in Malaysia. With a highly strategic state position for international trade routes, Malacca was once a well-known international trade centre in the East. Many traders anchored in Malacca, especially traders from Arabia, China and India, traded at the port of Malacca and from there were born many of the descendants and tribes that exist in Malacca to this day.
A great diversity of races and ethnicities have long existed among the local community reflecting its history. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Baba Nyonya, Kristang, Chitty and Eurasians are significant ethnic groups living in the State of Malacca in the present day.