Johor

Johor is a major state located in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula.

It shares land borders with Pahang, Malacca, and Negeri Sembilan to the north. To the south, Johor has maritime borders with Singapore. It also shares maritime boundaries with Indonesia to the east and west. The landscape is characterized by flat areas and diverse tropical rainforests.

The state experiences an equatorial climate. Within this geography, inselbergs and massifs rise from the plains. Mount Ledang stands as the highest point in the state.

Economically, Johor serves as one of Malaysia's most vital hubs. It possesses the second largest state economy in the country. This is measured by its gross domestic product (GDP), which is the highest in Malaysia outside of the Klang Valley. The state also reports the second highest household income and total salaries in Malaysia. A major driver of this wealth is the Port of Tanjung Pelepas.

This facility is the 15th busiest port in the entire world. Additionally, Johor hosts the world's second largest artificial intelligence hub. In the southern region, the Iskandar Malaysia special economic zone attracts massive investment.

The history of the region is deeply tied to the Johor Sultanate. This polity emerged as a rump state of the Malacca Sultanate. In 1528, Ala'udin Ri'ayat Shah II established the royal court at the Johor River.

At its peak, the empire was vast. It included the southern Malay Peninsula and the Riau Archipelago. It also reached parts of Sumatra and Borneo. The empire's capital moved frequently to manage trade and military strategy. The state's name may stem from Arabic or Persian words meaning "jewel."

Political shifts in the 19th century redefined Johor's borders. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 was a turning point. This treaty divided the wider Johor polity between British and Dutch spheres of influence.

This division helped fix the modern boundaries of the state. Following this, Johor remained largely self-governing for many years. However, British oversight increased in 1885. The British appointed a General Adviser to direct affairs. This adviser managed most matters, though local religion and customs remained under the Sultan's control. By 1914, Johor became a British protected state.

Johor's path to modern governance involved several major transitions. The state's status as a protected state was interrupted by the Japanese occupation of Malaya. After World War II, Johor joined the Malayan Union in 1946. It then became part of the Federation of Malaya in 1948. The Federation gained independence from Britain in 1957. Finally, Johor entered modern-day Malaysia through the Malaysia Agreement of 1963. Today, the government follows a system modeled on the Westminster system. The Sultan of Johor acts as the head of state. The Chief Minister serves as the head of government.

As of 2025, Johor is home to 4.2 million people. This makes it the second most populous state in Malaysia, following Selangor. The population is highly diverse in terms of ethnicity, culture, and language. Islam is the official state religion, but other religions are practiced freely. Cultural traditions remain vibrant through dances like zapin and kuda kepang. The state is divided into administrative districts. The Johor Bahru District is particularly significant. It is the second largest district in Malaysia regarding both population and economic activity.

Archaeological evidence suggests human settlement in Johor dates back centuries. A bronze bell from approximately 150 AD was found near the Muar River. This suggests early contact with the Funan kingdom of mainland Asia. Researchers have also searched for the ancient lost city of Kota Gelanggi. While its exact location is disputed, some believe it lies near the Lenggiu and Madek Rivers. These historical layers connect the modern state to ancient maritime trade networks. Johor continues to grow as a center of manufacturing, logistics, and technology.