Langkawi Island, Malaysia

Langkawi Island is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia's Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba.

Langkawi lies north of the Straits of Malacca in the southern Andaman Sea near the border between Malaysia and Thailand. Only a few kilometres to the north lies the neighbouring Thai island of Ko Tarutao. The island group's main town, on the main island, is Kuah.

Langkawi's highest point is Gunung Raya, rising to 890 m above sea level in the main island's central-eastern area.

The Isles of Langkawi consists of 104 islands with a total land area of about 528 sq km (204 sq m).

According to a continental drift theory, the huge landmass of Gondwana split into smaller landmasses such as Africa, Australia, India and Langkawi 500 million years ago during the Cambrian Age. Hills in the north-western part of Langkawi Island (including Mt. Machincang) are formed during this continental drift.

The name "Langkawi" is believed to be related to the kingdom of Langkasuka, centred in modern-day Kedah. The historical record is sparse, but a Chinese Liang Dynasty record (c. 500 AD) refers to the kingdom of "Langgasu" as being founded in the 1st century AD. 'Langkawi' means Eagle Island, it may be noted, and indeed there is a great abundance of eagles in the area. In Kuah, the capital, there is a huge eagle monument in Eagle Square which commemorates the origin of Langkawi's name.

Langkawi eventually came under the influence of the Sultanate of Kedah, but Kedah was conquered in 1821 by Siam and Langkawi along with it. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 transferred power to the British, who held the state until independence, except for a brief period of Thai rule under the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II. Thai influences remain visible in the culture and food of Langkawi, while Thai is still understood by many on the island.

Langkawi Island has recently been re-branded to "LANGKAWI GEOPARK" to better reflect the island's recogition by UNESCO as a World Geopark (on June 1, 2007). Three of its main Geopark components are Mt. Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Geoforest Park and Pulau Tasik Dayang Bunting (Island of the Pregnant Maiden Lake).

Sheltered by the mountainous backbone of Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi escapes the northeastern winter monsoon entirely and enjoys sunny skies when the eastern provinces are flooded. Coupled with natural white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage and craggy mountain peaks – but hampered by inaccessibility – the island was at one time touted as "Malaysia's best-kept secret".

Langkawi remained a sleepy backwater until 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status with the intention of promoting tourism. Subsequently the island's airport was upgraded and ferry links were increased.

Today, Langkawi competes with nearby Penang for the title of Malaysia's largest tourist draw. Resorts and 5-star hotels line the beaches and, in the winter high season, direct flights land from as far as Europe and Japan.

Beside the tax-free, beach and eagle, the other attraction in Langkawi are their Cable Car to the tops of Gunung Mat Cincang at 705m above sea level. Galeria Perdana a collection of over 2500 gift to the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

Langkawi is affected by the milder western monsoon (May-September), and while diving is possible at Pulau Payar, water clarity tends to be poor.

From Kuah, there are ferry connections to Satun in southern Thailand, to Penang, to Kuala Kedah and to Kuala Perlis. Langkawi International Airport and the harbour at Telok Ewa lie on the west coast. AirAsia flies to Langkawi from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The whole island has a well developed road network.

For list of Resort and Hotels in Langkawi Island Malaysia, Click here

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