Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu
Seal
Kuala Terengganu Location in Malaysia
Coordinates: 5°20′0″N 103°9′0″E / 5.333333°N 103.15°E / 5.333333; 103.15
Country	Malaysia
State	Terengganu
City status	1 January 2008
Government
- Mayor	Datuk Mat Razali Kassim
Area
- Total	605 km2 (233.59 sq mi)
Population (2009)
- Total	396,433
- Density	590.51/km2 (1,529.21/sq mi)
Time zone	MST (UTC+8)
- Summer (DST)	Not observed (UTC)
Website	http://mbkt.terengganu.gov.my/

Kuala Terengganu (Pinyin: 登嘉楼) colloquially abbreviated as KT; Jawi: كوالا ترڠڬانو) is the largest city as well as the state and royal capital of Terengganu state, Malaysia. On 1 January 2008, Kuala Terengganu was awarded city status. The city has a population of 396,433^[1] and is also the seat of a district of the same name. Kuala Terengganu is located about 500 kilometers northeast of Kuala Lumpur on a promontory surrounded on three sides by the South China Sea. The name means the "river mouth of Terengganu", referring to the broad expanse of the Terengganu River estuary which empties into the ocean at this point. Kuala Terengganu is also the name of the parliamentary constituency in which the city is situated^{[citation needed]}. The inhabitants of the city speak a distinct Terengganese dialect of Malay.

History

Kuala Terengganu town area

There was only one street, called Kampung Cina (Chinatown), when Kuala Terengganu was founded. A family of Chinese traders who were trading between China and the Malay Peninsula established it as early as the 15th century. This is proven by the Chinese settlement in Kampung Cina (Chinatown) where buildings are hundreds of years old.

It soon grew into an important trading post between the two countries. However, after the Malacca Empire conquered the town, its influence as a leading port in the Southeast Asian region diminished as most of the traders preferred to stop at Melaka, which was the center of trade between China, India and Southeast Asia.

Economy

Main economic activities include retail and wholesale trade in food items, fabric and apparels, fisheries, agriculture, service industries, and tourism, particularly as a jumping-off point for the nearby Perhentian Islands.

Tourism

The Floating Mosque

Places of interest include Chinatown, Pasar Payang (Central Market), the Sultan's Palace, the State Museum, Pulau Duyong and the latest attraction is Masjid Kristal in Pulau Wan Man. Kuala Terengganu also famous for its keropok lekor Losong and traditional dishes nasi dagang.

Monsoon Cup

The Monsoon Cup 2005 celebrated its inauguration and debut as the 50th official event of the Swedish Match Tour, and serves as the Malaysian leg for the prestigious international sailing event. Dubbed ‘The Formula One of Sailing’, this professional sailing series was formed in 2000 to unite the world’s best match-race regattas under one banner. The Swedish Match Tour comprises nine events in nine specially selected locations around the world. As the leading professional sailing series in the world, the Tour events are recognized as must-attend regattas on the match-race circuit. The Monsoon Cup 2005 was held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from 29 November to 4 December 2005. The Monsoon Cup for the 2006 offered the highest prize money in the world (RM1 million) for a match racing event with the sponsorship of Richard Mille of Richard Mille Watches. Richard Mille was also be the official time keeper for the event. The Monsoon Cup 2006 was held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from the 29 November to 3 December 2006^[2].

Transport

The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river. On the other side of the Terengganu River, there is a medium-sized airport called Sultan Mahmud Airport serving domestic routes.

References

External links

• Kuala Terengganu travel guide from Wikitravel
• Kuala Terengganu City Council
• GoRedang - Cheap Redang Package and Accommodation.

v • d • e Cities in Malaysia Alor Setar • Georgetown • Ipoh • Johor Bahru • Kota Kinabalu • Kuala Lumpur • Kuala Terengganu • Kuching • Malacca Town • Miri • Petaling Jaya • Shah Alam

v • d • e Terengganu Darul Iman Districts Kuala Terengganu · Hulu Terengganu · Besut · Setiu · Marang · Dungun · Kemaman Cities Kuala Terengganu (capital) Towns Ajil · Bandar Al-Muktafi Billah Shah · Bandar Ketengah Jaya · Bandar Permaisuri · Bandar Seri Bandi · Batu Rakit · Bukit Besi · Chukai · Gong Kedak · Jabur · Jerangau · Jerteh · Kemasik · Kerteh · Kijal · Kuala Besut · Kuala Berang · Kuala Dungun · Marang · Merchang · Paka · Pasir Raja · Rantau Abang · Rasau Kerteh · Seberang Takir · Teluk Kalung · Wakaf Tapai Islands Bidong · Kapas · Lang Tengah · Perhentian · Redang · Tenggol · Wan Man Townships Alam Serada · Rantau Petronas

Coordinates: 5°20′N 103°09′E / 5.333°N 103.15°E / 5.333; 103.15