About Johore - Malacca

About Johore

Johore, state of Malaysia, southernmost state of Peninsular (West) Malaysia. Its 250-mile (400-km) coastline along the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea also winds around the Republic of Singapore’s northern border and is dotted with small islands. Johore is generally flat and jungle covered, with large swamps, but rises in the east-central region to peaks of over 3,000 feet (900 metres).

Founded by Mahmud Shah, the fugitive sultan of Malacca (now spelled Melaka), and his son Alauddin after the Malaccan kingdom fell to the Portuguese (1511), the area declined in the 18th century when the seat of power shifted to the Riau (Riouw) islands (now part of Indonesia), south of Singapore. The governors of the Johore sultanate were recognized as independent by the British in the cession of Singapore (1819). After 1830, Chinese pepper and gambier (catechu) planters settled in the plains, and a few small trading centres were established along the rivers.

The region’s economy developed after 1919, when the railway was extended southward from the tin and rubber belt of the Malay Peninsula to Singapore, bringing to an end Johore’s historical isolation (by swamps) from the rest of the peninsula. Following World War I, large-scale rubber planting was introduced, and tin and iron deposits were discovered. Bauxite is worked at Teluk Ramunia and Sungai Rengit. Johore is a major producer of oil palms, and coconut (copra) and pineapple estates flourish in the swampy plains, particularly in the peat areas to the west. Canning factories adjoin the estates. Johor Tenggara (Southeast Johore) is the site of a large agricultural and resettlement project, which was inaugurated as part of a long-term development plan in the late 20th century.

Because of Johore’s shallow harbours, its trade depends on Singapore’s port facilities. Commodity movements are mainly by roads, all converging on the state’s main city, Johor Bahru, which is linked by causeway to Singapore. The latter country depends on Johore’s Teberau River for its water supply. Johore has become essentially a part of Singapore’s hinterland; its economic relations with the Pahang region to the north are negligible. Aside from Johor Bahru, other important towns are Muar, Mersing, Segamat, and Batu Pahat. Area 7,331 square miles (18,987 square km). Pop. (2008 est.) 3,312,400.

About Malacca

Malacca (Malay: Melaka) is known as the historic city of Malaysia owing to its deep connection with the historic era of both the Sultanate period and the colonialism. The state is located in the south-west direction of the Malay Peninsula and is territorially bordered by Johore and Negeri Sembilan. Malacca is actually an area of low-lands with the occasional presence of some hills.

The state is like Malaysia’s pride owing to the rich reserves of history that still breathes in the Malaccan air. The richness of culture and heritage made it a UNESCO protected heritage site in the year 2008 and since then it has attracted flocks of tourists from all over the world.

History of Malacca

The historic tales of Malacca is full of turmoil and disturbances, one that you wouldn’t take lightly. Apart from this, the history of this state is too precious to let go and that’s why even now the state holds onto its roots.

Malacca in its early years was the home to multi-racial people including that of the original Malay tribes and the Indians too.

The founder of Malacca was Parameshwara and here is also a legend that explains how he founded his kingdom in a mere fishing village. The tree, which has played an important role in the life of Malacca, is popularly known today as the Malacca tree.

The sultans of Malacca established cordial relations with China over the years to an extent where the Chinese crowned princess, Hang Li Po married the existing Malaccan ruler, Manshur Shah. The sultanate period in Malacca existed during the fifteenth century after which the colonial era started.

In April 1511, Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered the state and the war saw the mass massacre of the Muslim inhabitants. The Hindu, Chinese, and the Burmese inhabitants were spared in the war. Post this war, Malacca came directly under the Portuguese rule. After the Portuguese, came the Dutch who ruled Malaccan territory with the sole aim of establishing an international trade chain.

In 1824, according to the Anglo-Dutch treaty, the East India Company gained the rule of Malacca and that established the British colonial era. A few years later, the state directly came under the British crown and it was a British colony until 1942.

After the independence treaty, Malacca was busy in restoring the ruins that the World War II left behind. In 1989, it was declared as ‘historical city’.

Weather of Malacca

The weather of Malaccan state is quite suitable for tourist visits throughout the year. The summer season is the predominant one and usually remains all through the year. Rainfall is generous in amount but that depends on which time of the year it is occurring. It mostly occurs between October to March, making the winters a little bit more chilly.

The general day temperature ranges between 30°C to 35°C, quite moderate in the summers. In the night, however, the temperature drops a little, ranging between 27°C and 29°C. The temperature might fall below the normal level if the state receives a heavy amount of shower.