Kedah

Kedah (also known with honorifics as Kedah Darul Aman, literally "Kedah, Abode of Peace") is a state in the northern part of the West Coast of Malaysia. It borders Thailand to the northeast and east, the state of Perlis to the north, the state of Penang to the southwest, and the state of Perak to the south. Kedah is nicknamed "The Rice Bowl of Malaysia" (Malay: Periuk Nasi Malaysia) because of the vast paddy plantation along the western plain of the state. Kedah, like Penang, is composed of two parts: mainland Kedah, which has 11 districts, and the island of Langkawi. Langkawi is the main tourist attraction. == Regions == Kedah is split into 12 administrative districts, daerah in Malay. They are, from north to south: Langkawi: An island full of tourist attractions and a popular folklore of its own. It is the westernmost part of Kedah, and shares the same latitude with Perlis. Kubang Pasu: The northernmost district in mainland Kedah. This district has a lot of educational institutes; one of them is the Universiti Utara Malaysia, or Northern University of Malaysia. Padang Terap: This district is where the Pedu Lake is situated. Kota Setar: This is the main administrative district of Kedah, as the capital of the state, Alor Setar, is located here. It's also one of the gateway to Langkawi Island. Pendang: This district is primarily covered with paddy field, and agriculture is its main economic activity. Sik: This is the largest district in Kedah. It's where the Muda River starts. This river is vital for the irrigation of paddy fields in Kedah. Yan: The smallest district in Kedah. On its border is the Mount Jerai, the tallest peak in Kedah that is situated between this district and Kuala Muda. Kuala Muda: Sungai Petani, the second-largest city in the state, is located here. There's also the Bujang Valley Archaeological Site that has the remnants of the past Hindu-Buddha civilization that was once in Kedah. Baling: This district is famous for its Raja Bersiung (lit. "The King with Fangs") folklore, and the Bukit Hijau Recreational Park. Kulim: Bordering Penang in the west, Kulim is an ever-developing district where the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, the first high technology industrial park in Malaysia that was established in 1996, is situated. Bandar Baharu: The southernmost district of Kedah. == Cities == 1 Alor Setar - (Alor Star) the state capital, population 417 800 (2020 census) 2 Sungai Petani - the most populous city in the state. An industrial hub 3 Kulim - Kulim Town is relatively small but Kulim district is the third most populous area in the state. Kulim is earmarked for hi-tech industrial development == Other destinations == Bukit Kayu Hitam - Malaysia's main road crossing into Thailand Changloon - 8km from Bukit Kayu Hitam, it is one of the main border town crossings into Thailand Langkawi - the 99 islands of "the land of all one's wishes" Padang Serai - the important town at Southern Kedah Lunas - another important town at Southern Kedah Pedu - a man made lake surrounded by virgin rainforest and scenic mountains Kuala Kedah - ferry point to Langkawi, next to Alor Star == Understand == == Talk == Most people in Kedah speak in Kedahan dialect of Malay, but English is widely spoken and understood among the upper class. Besides that, Mandarin and various Chinese dialects are also spoken by the Chinese minority, while various Indian languages (most commonly Tamil) are spoken by the Indian community. == Get in == Langkawi International Airport (LGK IATA) Numerous domestic flights connected from KLIA (KUL IATA). Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Airasia fly daily to and from Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (Alor Setar Airport, AOR IATA). Penang (PEN IATA has several international flights to other Asian countries. == Get around == == See == Bukit Hijau Waterfall The best sight-seeing in the northern Peninsular Malaysia == Do == == Eat == Tan Kee roast duck - famous in the region, originally from Lunas, Kedah. == Drink == == Stay safe == == Go next ==