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Perak, the Land of Grace, has long been
renowned for its tin deposits. In fact, its name "Perak", which means
silver in Malay, is derived from the silvery tin ore that was found and
mined in abundance here until the turn of the century. The state of Perak
is subdivided into 9 districts and covers an area of 21,000 sq. km, with
a population that exceeds 2 million. Major towns include Taiping, Teluk
Intan, Lumut, Sitiawan, and Kuala Kangsar, the royal town, while Ipoh
City is the state capital and administrative center.
In its early years, Perak underwent much
turmoil and strife. Rich in deposits, it was an attractive target for
foreign domination. It was first ravaged by the Achinese in the 16th Century,
then the Bugis, followed by the Dutch, and finally by the British at the
turn of the 19th Century. The growing importance of tin in the world market
brought about an influx of Chinese immigrants into the rich Larut minefields.
This, however, resulted in the destabilization of the traditional Malay
policy in the Kinta River Valley. The situation took a turn for the worst
in the 1870s when the state was torn by a royal dispute over succession
to the throne and war in Larut broke out between feuding Chinese miners.
This was eventually settled by British intervention through the Pangkor
Treaty of 1874. Hence the state came under British control.
Tin may have lost its predominance over
the state's economy, yet it has nonetheless played a major role in the
early development of Perak and its many towns. Since then, Perak has progressed
steadily by attracting foreign industrialists who have set up factories
in various parts of the state. Its sound infrastructure and facilities
of international standard make it an ideal environment for business enterprise.
Today, this ever harmonious state is vibrant and thriving with bustling
townships. Ipoh, its capital, an originally obscure village with dilapidated
buildings, has grown to become one of the largest cities in Malaysia.
Traveling through Perak is an experience
by itself as visitors will be treated to an environment, which is complemented
with tropical rainforests, hills, rubber plantations, tin mines, and more.
This is a journey that will take you through small towns whose characters
have not changed since their mining days. Besides these, visitors will
also be able to see unending fruit orchards for Perak is a major fruit
growing region in the area. A trip here is never complete without a taste
of the luscious pomelos - a sweet and juicy citrus fruit that is usually
the size of a soccer ball and grown exclusively in the state. Pomelos
are a must during major Chinese festivals. Furthermore, on the outskirts
of Ipoh lies the little town of Menglembu, which is renown around the
world for its brand of groundnuts, although no longer found in this area.
Hence, whilst remaining very much a business
center, Perak offers the visitor everything that one would want, from
history, culture, nature and adventure to its ever charming hospitality.
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