Penang
Penang (Malay: Pulau Pinang, [pi.naŋ]) is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay Peninsula. These two halves are physically connected by the Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge. The state shares borders with Kedah to the north and east, and Perak to the south.
Penang Pulau Pinang | |
|---|---|
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Mandarin | 槟城 (Simplified) 檳城 (Traditional) Bīn chéng (Pinyin) |
| • Hokkien | 庇能 Pī-néeng (Tâi-lô) Pī-né͘ng (Pe̍͘h-ōa-jī) |
| • Tamil | பினாங்கு Piṉāṅku (Transliteration) |
| • Thai | ปีนัง Pinang (RTGS) |
| Etymology: Island of areca nut | |
| Nickname(s): Pulau Mutiara Pearl of the Orient | |
| Motto: Bersatu dan Setia United and Loyal | |
| Anthem: Untuk Negeri Kita For Our State | |
| Sovereign state | Malaysia |
| Founded by the British East India Company | 11 August 1786 |
| Straits Settlements | 1 April 1867 – 1 April 1946 |
| Japanese occupation | 19 December 1941 – 3 September 1945 |
| Malayan Union | 1 April 1946 |
| Federation of Malaya | 31 August 1957 |
| Proclamation of Malaysia | 16 September 1963 |
| Capital | George Town |
| Largest city | Seberang Perai |
| Ethnic groups (2020) | |
| Religion (2020) |
|
| Demonym(s) | Penangite |
| Government | Parliamentary |
| Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak | |
| Chow Kon Yeow (PH-DAP) | |
| Law Choo Kiang (PH-PKR) | |
| Legislature | Legislative Assembly |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,049 km2 (405 sq mi) (12th) |
| Elevation | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 833 m (2,733 ft) |
| Population | |
• 2020 census | 1,740,405 |
• Density | 1,659.11/km2 (4,297.1/sq mi) (3rd) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2022 estimate |
• Total | $70.966 billion (5th) |
• Per capita | $44,104 (4th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 estimate |
• Total | $27.535 billion (6th) |
• Per capita | $15,837 (4th) |
| Gini (2022) | 0.371 low |
| HDI (2021) | 0.836 very high · 3rd |
| Currency | Malaysian ringgit (RM/MYR) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (Malaysian Time) |
| Date format | dd-mm-yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +604-2, +604-6, +604-8 (George Town) +604-3, +604-5 (Seberang Perai) |
| Postal code | |
| ISO 3166 code | MY-07 |
| Website | www |
With 1.74 million residents and a population density of 1,659/km2 (4,300/sq mi) as of 2020, Penang is one of Malaysia's most densely populated and urbanised states. Seberang Perai is Malaysia's third largest city by population. Penang is culturally diverse with a population that includes Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians, Siamese and expatriates.
Established by Francis Light in 1786, Penang became part of the Straits Settlements, a British crown colony also comprising Malacca and Singapore. During World War II, Japan occupied Penang, but the British regained control in 1945. Penang was later merged with the Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia), which gained independence in 1957.
Penang's economy shifted from entrepôt trade to electronics manufacturing and the tertiary sector in the late 20th century. Today, it is one of the country's most developed economic powerhouses, with the second highest GDP per capita among Malaysian states, and the third highest Human Development Index after Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Penang is also Malaysia's leading exporter with nearly RM451 billion in exports in 2022, primarily through the Penang International Airport, the nation's third busiest.