Updated at 2023-06-20
Penang is a bustling place that melds eastern and western cultures. It’s known as the “Emerald of the Indian Ocean.” George Town, which is the seat of the Penang State Government, has many preserved historic structures. It was inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The souvenir in the image depicts the trishaw, a common sight along Penang streets. The trishaw was the main mode of transport for Penang residents in the early years. The fare was calculated based on the total ride time. Manual trishaws did not disappear after automobiles became ubiquitous. They remain in use, catering primarily to tourists.
Language: Malaysian is the national language, and English and Chinese are widely used.
Area: 1,049 square kilometers
Population: Approx. 1,780,000 people
Main Industries/Features: Its main industries are trade, industry, tourism, and agriculture. The high-tech industry is regarded as an important economic foundation, and Penang's efforts to become a high-tech software production center led to it being dubbed “Silicon Valley of the East.”George Town, the capital of Penang, was established in 1786 and inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The Globalization and World Cities Research Network also classified it as a gamma level city.