| Malacca Town Bandar Melaka بندر ملاك |
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| Nickname: Bandar Raya Bersejarah (English : Historical city) |
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| Country | Malaysia | ||
| State | Malacca | ||
| Establishment | 1502 | ||
| Granted city status | 2003 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Zaini Md Nor | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 303 km² (114.7 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2005)[1] | |||
| - Total | 180,671 | ||
| - Density | 596.27/km² (1,575.16/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | MST (UTC+8) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | Not observed (UTC) | ||
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| Website: http://www.mbmb.gov.my/ | |||
Malacca Town (Malay: Bandar Melaka) is the capital of the Malaysian state of Malacca. The Seri Negeri, the State Administrative and Development Centre which houses the Chief Minister's Office, the State Secretary's Office and the Legislative Assembly Hall is located in Malacca Town.
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History
The site where the town of Malacca stands today was the center of Malaccan history. It was the capital of the Malaccan Sultanate and was the centre of the Malay world in the 15th and the 16th century after the Malays moved over from Sumatra and it was the most developed part of the Malay Peninsula before it fell to the Portuguese in 1511. Centuries of colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British as well as development of Straits Chinese (Peranakan) culture have influenced the architecture of the town. After World War II, anti-colonial sentiment developed amongst Malay nationalists, led to negotiations with the British and eventually the announcement of Independence by Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, at the Padang Pahlawan (Warrior's Field) at Bandar Hilir, in Melaka on 20 February 1956. Since the founding of Singapore in 1819, Malacca has been in decline as its port was silting up and Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have grown. Over the years, many Malaccans have moved to Kuala Lumpur the Malaysian capital and to Singapore.
Tourism
Malacca Town is a worthwhile place to visit. Most of the tourist attractions are concentrated in its small city centre, and one can walk down Jonker's Walk which is a row of shophouses of Peranakan architecture. One can also visit Pulau Melaka, an island formed through [and reclamation mainly for housing purposes. Other islands include Pulau Upeh and Pulau Besar Besar. To reach Malacca town through the North-South highway, one has to take a detour from the town of Ayer Keroh and travel south through the Ayer Keroh Road, while to reach Muar, which is 40 km from the Malacca Town itself, one has to travel by Jalan Ujong Pasir. One can also visit the reclaimed island of Pulau Melaka, just by crossing a causeway that leads to the island.
Twin cities
The City of Malacca has a twin city status with five cities, they are:
Lisbon, Portugal (16 January 1984)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (15 April, 1989)
Hoorn, Netherlands (8 November, 1989)
Valparaiso, The Republic of Chile (23 June. 1991)
Nanjing, China (2001)
Sights
- A Famosa fortress
- Bukit China cemetery
- Cheng Hoon Teng temple
- Geok Hu Keng temple
- Christ Church (Malacca)
- Dutch Square
- Saint Francis Xavier Church
- Hang Jebat mausoleum
- Hang Kasturi mausoleum
- Proclamation of Independence Memorial
- Kampong Hulu mosque
- Kampung Keling mosque
- Portuguese Settlement
- Poh San Teng temple
- Sri Poyyatha temple
- St. John Fort
- St. Paul Fort
- Ruins of St. Paul Church - Saint Francis Xavier was temporarily buried here St. Peter Church
- St. Theresa Church
- Sultan's well
- Tranquerah mosque
- Victoria Fountain
- Melaka Manipal Medical College
External links
- {{{2}}} travel guide from Wikitravel
