SELANGOR

Selangor at a glance | Selangor Location | Selangor History | Selangor Attractions

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SELANGOR AT A GLANCE:

The State of Selangor is Malaysia's most populated and prosperous state.  Selangor surrounds the burgeoning capital with green suburban arms and industrial tracks, but as the city is left behind, a different, older and more natural order quickly unfolds.  To the west is the Klang Valley, whose tin mines were inextricably linked to the history and development of modern Malaysia.  It was here that much of Malaysia's Civil War was played out.  Continuing past the city of Klang, one eventually comes to Port Klang, where sampans come and go.  Both to the north and south, Selangor is dominated by fishing villages on the coast and the Kampung inland.  Heading east from KL, it is not the ocean but hills and forests that dominate.  This is the beginning of the lush Malaysian heartland, and the spiritual connection to the landscape first takes hold at the extraordinary Batu Caves.  Even further inland are the Genting Highlands, one of Malaysia's finest hill stations.  Any direction one takes in Selangor eventually leads to some sight that is deeply connected to Malaysia's development; a tin mine, an oil-palm or rubber plantation - for this reason, the state is often called "the heart of modern Malaysia."  A pleasing potpourri, Selangor has a fascinating diversity of creeds, cultures, and races in its population.  Malay, Chinese, and Indians mingle freely with other minorities such as the Eurasians.  Home to more than 3.7 million, Selangor is also the most populated state in the country.  As tin and rubber became prime commodities in the world market, Selangor's wealth grew, thus laying the foundation for activities, which thrust the state into industrialization.  Many of the country's largest industrial operations are found in the various industrial zones.  They range from commercial activities to manufacturing, tourism, and industrial.  Once a prolific producer of tin-ore, Selangor today is renown for the world famous Royal Selangor Pewter.  Pewter items are made from refined tin, antimony, and copper.  Royal Selangor pewter is considered original and the best of its kind.  Its factory, located in Setapak, is opened to public.  Shopping in Selangor is an experience in itself.  There are bustling "pasar malam" (night markets), bazaars, quaint little shops, department stores, and modern multifaceted shopping malls, each providing its own unique shopping experience.  Eating out will be no problem in Selangor.  The state has evolved into a gourmet's paradise with its varied offerings of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international cuisine.  Selangor abounds with high classed restaurants of every imaginable cuisine.  However, the cheapest and therefore most popular places are the roadside hawkers who offer a full range of local delicacies.  The visitor may also find that coconut and sugarcane juices are great thirst quenchers, as well as easily available!  Home to the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang, which opened on June 27th, 1998, Selangor is set to lead the nation's development into the next millennium.
 

LOCATION:
Selangor, with an area of approximately 8,000 sq. km, extends along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia at the northern outlet of the Straits of Malacca.  Its advantageous geographic position and rich natural resources have made Selangor the most prosperous state in Malaysia.  Today it has the distinction of being the most populated state in Malaysia, with about 3.7 million inhabitants.  A large proportion of Selangor's population lives around the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, though the balance is now shifting towards its new capital, Shah Alam.  Located on the west coast of Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan covers an area of 125,000 sq. km.  Dubbed the "Industrial Hub of the Nation", Selangor is the country's premier state with its huge resources, well developed communications network, industrial estates, and skilled manpower.  Here lies Klang Valley - the heart of the nation, which stretches from Port Klang to the foothills of Ampang, Bangi, and Gombak.

HISTORY:

Selangor's history dates back to the 15th Century when the discovery of tin deposits opened the floodgates for miners and other immigrants who rushed in looking for instant wealth from the soils.  By the middle of the 18th Century, the Bugis had begun to dominate the state, both politically and economically, in large numbers.  Their skills as navigators, traders, and warriors allowed them to extend their sphere of influence, ultimately establishing the present Sultanate of Selangor.  However, fighting between the Bugis, Chinese, and Malay nobility paved the way for British rule, which lasted until the country gained independence in 1957. 

ATTRACTIONS:

Shah Alam, Selangor's state capital, is a modern township surrounded at its periphery by Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and five other major townships including Klang, Bangi, and Kajang.  It enjoys a vantage location being ideally located halfway between the national capital, KL, and the viable Port Klang.  Hailed as one of the most well-planned cities, Shah Alam has most of its residential area on one side of the Federal Highway and industrial zones on the other.  Hence, Shah Alam has been constructed according to a blueprint drawn up with the environment at the forethought of the planners.  It has become a showpiece city of the future, free from the inherent problems of haphazard development and shanty towns found in other major growth centers.  The Sultan Salahuhddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque dominates the entire state capital, this is truly one of the finest mosques to be found anywhere in the world.  Completed in 1988, its minarets, at 142.3 m, are the tallest in the world.  Its graceful blue dome is also one of the biggest of its kind.  Decorative Islamic calligraphy enhances the dome and main prayer hall, while the overall architecture integrates Malay and Moorish design elements.  The mosque's pulpit has been executed in carved timber, a masterpiece of local craftsmen from the state of Kelantan.  For relaxation, head for the Shah Alam Lake Gardens.  It is the site of annual events such as the International Boat Show and the Selangor Orchid Exhibition.  A delightful system of man-made lakes graces the town center.  Picnic area dot this well-kept parkland and a floating seafood restaurant stands on the fringes of the lakes.  Genting Highlands, situated 2,000 m above sea level, is but a mere 50km from Kuala Lumpur.  See our Genting Highland webpage for additional information.