Kuala Terengganu

Infobox City |official_name = Kuala Terengganu
other_name =كوالا ترڠڬانو
Emblem of Kuala Terengganu City Council
Motto of Kuala Terengganu City Council = Bandaraya Warisan Pesisir Air
website = http://mpkt.terengganu.gov.my/

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imagesize=360px
image_caption =
image_



pushpin_

pushpin_mapsize =360
pushpin_label_position = right
map_caption = Location in Malaysia
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name = flag|Malaysia
subdivision_name1 = Terengganu
established_title = City status
established_date = 1 January 2008
leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =Datuk Mat Razali Kassim
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 233.59
area_total_km2 = 605
population_as_of = 200
population_total = 295,306
population_density_sq_mi = 1529.21
population_density_km2 = 590.51
timezone = MST
utc_offset = +8
timezone_DST = Not observed
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
latd = 5
latm = 20
lats = 0
latNS = N
longd = 103
longm = 9
longs = 0
longEW = E
footnotes = Kuala Terengganu (colloquially abbreviated as KT; Jawi: كوالا ترڠڬانو) is the largest city as well as the state and royal capital of Terengganu state, Malaysia. On 1 January 2008, Kuala Terengganu was awarded city status. The city has a population of 295,306 [ [http://population.wn.com/country/Malaysia/Terengganu] ] and is also the seat of a district of the same name. Kuala Terengganu is located about 500 kilometers northeast of Kuala Lumpur on a promontory surrounded on three sides by the South China Sea. The name means the "river mouth of Terengganu", referring to the broad expanse of the Terengganu River estuary which empties into the ocean at this point. Kuala Terengganu is also the name of the parliamentary constituency in which the city is situated.Fact|date=December 2007

History

There was only one street, called Kampung Cina (Chinatown), when Kuala Terengganu was founded. A family of Chinese traders who were trading between China and the Malay Peninsula established it as early as the 15th century. This is evidenced by the Chinese families who live in Kampung Cina (Chinatown) and the buildings which are hundreds of years old. It soon grew into an important trading post between the two countries. However, after the Melaka Empire conquered the town, its influence as a leading port in the Southeast Asian region diminished as most of the traders preferred to stop at Melaka, which was the center of trade between China, India and Southeast Asia.

Economy

Main economic activities include retail and wholesale trade in food items, fabric and apparels, fisheries, agriculture, service industries, and tourism, particularly as a jumping-off point for the nearby Perhentian Islands.

Tourism

Places of interest include Chinatown, Pasar Payang (Central Market), the Sultan's Palace, the State Museum, Pulau Duyong.

Monsoon Cup

The Monsoon Cup 2005 celebrated its inauguration and debut as the 50th official event of the Swedish Match Tour (http://www.swedishmatchtour.com/), and serves as the Malaysian leg for the prestigious international sailing event. Dubbed ‘The Formula One of Sailing’, this professional sailing series was formed in 2000 to unite the world’s best match-race regattas under one banner. The Swedish Match Tour comprises nine events in nine specially selected locations around the world. As the leading professional sailing series in the world, the Tour events are recognized as must-attend regattas on the match-race circuit. The Monsoon Cup 2005 was held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from 29 November to 4 December 2005. The Monsoon Cup for the 2006 now offers the highest prize money in the world (RM1 million) for a match racing event with the sponsorship of Mr Richard Mille of Richard Mille Watches. Richard Mille will also be the official time keeper for the event. The Monsoon Cup 2006 will be held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from the 29 November to 3 December 2006 (http://www.monsooncup.com.my).

Music

Underground Music Scene

Terengganu is said to have the earliest Punk Rock music scene in Malaysia with the pioneering band, Mallaria who mix the influence of Thrash Metal and Punk in their music.

The first ever album to be released by Terengganu underground act was 'Inferior Symphony' by Modar, who recently reformed and released a new album with one original line-up (Mang) and his students.

Bands who used to be active and famous include Stoned Crowes (indie-pop/punk), Kasih Sayang (mince core/punk), Strict Tease (streetpunk), Jellybelly (poppunk) and others.

To date, two foreign underground bands had played in Kuala Terengganu. They are Rai Ko Ris (from Nepal) in 2001 and Eucalypt (from Australia) in 2007.

Transport

The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river. On the other side of the Terengganu River, there is a medium-sized airport serving domestic routes.

References

*wikitravel

External links

* [http://www.terengganu.gov.my Kuala Terengganu Municipal Council]