West Coast (Malaysia)

The West Coast (Malay: Pantai Barat Semenanjung Malaysia) is a general way of referring to the states in Peninsular Malaysia which have their coastlines along the Straits of Malacca.

This part of the peninsular is more urban and developed than the more Malay, Muslim and rural East Coast. As a result, the terms West Coast and East Coast tend to mean more than a geographical description of the states.

The capital of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, and the new administrative centre of Putrajaya, are located in this region.

Regions

The West Coast states (from north to south) are:

• Perlis - Malaysia's smallest state
• Kedah - the rice paddy (padi) state, also contains Langkawi island
• Penang - popular resort island, with the charming capital George Town
• Perak - once rich in tin
• Selangor - Malaysia's most populous and developed state
• Negeri Sembilan - for traditional Minangkabau culture
• Malacca - for history stretching back to the 15th century

The two Federal Territories are:

• Kuala Lumpur - the nation's capital
• Putrajaya - new administrative centre of the country

Cities

• Kuala Lumpur - capital and largest city in Malaysia, located in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur which is surrounded by Selangor state
• Putrajaya - this planned city is the new administrative centre of the Federal government
• Kangar - the tiny capital of Perlis
• Alor Star - capital city of Kedah
• George Town - capital of Penang, charming and very popular with travellers, and famous for its hawker food
• Ipoh - capital of Perak, which is famous for its food
• Seremban - capital of Negeri Sembilan
• Malacca - historic city, and capital of Malacca state

Other destinations

Understand

Talk

Get in

Get around

See

Itineraries

Do

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

Get out