Malacca is located on the southwestern
coast of Peninsular Malaysia and covers an area of 658 square kilometres.
A state with a wealth of history, Malacca was founded in 1400 by
Parameswara, an exiled Hindu prince from Sumatera. It became a great
trading emporium and thrived as a port-of-call for many a ship and
merchant from China, India, Arabia and South America. It was colonised
by the Portuguese in 1511 (for 130 years), the Dutch in 1641 (for
154 years) and the British in 1824 (until independence in 1957).
Malacca also came under Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945. After
World War II, the proclamation of Malay Independence by Tunku Abdul
Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the country's first Prime Minister, was made
at Padang Pahlawan Bandar Hilir (Warriors' Field), in Malacca on
20 February 1956.
The history of Malaysia to say the least, begins in Malacca. It
is evident throughout the state and may be seen in landmarks such
as Cheng Hoon Teng Temple - the oldest Chinese temple in the country
built in 1646, Hang Li Poh's Well built in 1459, the 600-year old
Tranquerah Mosque and Hang Kasturi's Mausoleum. You can also browse
along Jonker Street for antiques; some as old as 300 years. Take
a snapshot of the Dutch-built Stadthuys and Christ Church. Or you
can catch a glimpse of the ruins of St. Paul's Church and the gateway
to A Famosa fort. Do not miss the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum dedicated
to the descendants of noble Chinese who adopted much of the Malay
culture into their own, and see priceless heirlooms from these 'Straits
Chinese'. A wealth of history is around every corner just waiting
to be discovered.
More than a historical state, Malacca
boasts of two charming island resorts; as well as beautiful beaches
at Pulau Besar,Pulau Upeh, Klebang, Tanjung Bidara, Tanjung Kling
and Pantai Kundur.
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