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Kedah

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Kedah is a state in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia.

Kampung Sungai Meriam 2
Kampung Sungai Meriam 2

It is the eighth largest state in the country by land area. The state has a mainland part and also includes the Langkawi islands. To the north, Kedah borders the state of Perlis. It also shares a border with Thailand, near the Songkhla and Yala provinces. To the south and southwest, it sits next to Perak and Penang. The capital city is Alor Setar, where the royal seat is located in a suburb called Anak Bukit.

Masjid Zahir
Masjid Zahir

The land in Kedah has many different shapes and feels. Much of the state is part of the Kedah–Perlis Plain. This area is relatively flat and has good soil for farming. Because of this, most of the plains are used to grow rice.

Kampung Sungai Meriam 2
Kampung Sungai Meriam 2

However, the northeast and southeast parts are very different. These areas are quite mountainous, especially in districts like Sik and Baling. The highest point is Mount Bintang, which is found in the Bintang Range. You might also see limestone hills, which are called mogotes, in some parts of the state.

Kedah has a history that goes back a very long time. Archaeologists found evidence of a settlement in the Bujang Valley. This area was near the Merbok and Muda rivers. Some evidence suggests people lived there as early as 110 AD.

Candi Batu Pahat of Bujang Valley
Candi Batu Pahat of Bujang Valley

They built temples, jetties, and sites for making iron. This makes ancient Kedah one of the oldest settlements in Southeast Asia. In the past, it was known by many names. The ancient Tamils called it Kadaram, and Arab writers used names like Qilah or Kalah.

Many different groups of people live in Kedah today. Most people are Kedahan Malays, but there are also Chinese, Indian, and Siamese communities. Some people, called the Sam Sam, are Malay Muslim but speak a Siamese language. There are also Orang Asli groups, such as the Kensiu and Kintaq, living in the Baling district. The state is ruled by a Sultan. The Sultan is a hereditary ruler who holds his office for life. The current Sultan is Sallehuddin, who has been the ruler since September 2017.

PROPHET MUHAMMAD (8413709571)
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (8413709571)

Kedah is a place where old traditions meet modern life. The state is divided into 12 administrative districts, such as Kulim and Langkawi. Some areas, like the Kulim Hi-Tech Industrial Park, have special local governments. The state also has many important departments to help people. These include groups for forestry, agriculture, and even a state museum board. Whether you are looking at the rice fields or the high mountains, Kedah shows how much a landscape can change.

Library building (Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology University, Kedah, Malaysia) (night view)
Library building (Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology University, Kedah, Malaysia) (night view)
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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
Allah_Selamatkan_Sultan_Mahkota_instrumental.ogg
File:Candi Batu Pahat of Bujang Valley.jpg
Candi Batu Pahat of Bujang Valley.jpg
File:Flag of Kedah (1821 - 1912).svg
Flag of Kedah (1821 - 1912).svg
File:Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year in Kedah, 2001-2024.png
Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year...
File:Kampung Sungai Meriam 2.jpg
Kampung Sungai Meriam 2.jpg
File:PROPHET MUHAMMAD (8413709571).jpg
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (8413709571).jpg
File:DUN Kedah 2023.svg
DUN Kedah 2023.svg
File:Library building (Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology University, Kedah, Malaysia) (night view).jpg
Library building (Asian Institute of...
File:mrsmmerbok.jpg
mrsmmerbok.jpg
File:Smjkchiomin.jpg
Smjkchiomin.jpg
File:Masjid Zahir.jpg
Masjid Zahir.jpg
File:Bukit Kayu Hitam check point.jpg
Bukit Kayu Hitam check point.jpg

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