Perlis Indera Kayangan

The Northern Green State

Perlis "The Land of Rustic Beauty" is the northernmost and smallest state in Malaysia. It forms part of the ´rice bowl´ of the country, and remains in a state of unspoilt beauty, with rolling padi fields and rustic scenery aplenty, wherever the eyes may wander. Perlis is a part of the nation where simple life and picturesque towns are the norm rather than the exception. Being at the border of two nations, it is bound to have assimilated the characteristics of both, with the result being a more dynamic entity. And this is what Perlis is all about. Small in size, but big in dynamism. It is also endowed with mangoes and is rich in rice and cement. All this, and it still retains the humble rustic charm of all of Malaysia’s yesterdays. ( Picture shows a sugar cane field )

History 

Perlis, originally part of Kedah, was constantly the point of attention for the Thais from the north. The Thais conquered Kedah in 1821, and after they returned Kedah to its´ rightful Ruler in 1842, they retained Perlis for themselves, installing a ruler of their own choosing on the throne of Perlis. This Ruler was Syed Hussain, the son and successor of Syed Harun, a territorial chief who had been appointed by a previous Sultan of Kedah. Perlis was never returned to Kedah after this. As a result of the Bangkok Treaty of 1909, control of the State was transferred to the British Colonial Administration and a British Advisor was appointed to Arau, the State Capital.
 

During the Second World War, the Japanese conquerors gave Perlis back to the Thais. However, with the defeat of the Japanese in 1945, Perlis was returned to the British sphere of influence. Upon its´ return to the ´fold´, Perlis became part of the Malayan Union and then of the Federation of Malaya.

Geography

The State of Perlis is located at the north-western tip of Peninsular Malaysia. It has a common border with Thailand to the north and the Malaysian State of Kedah to the south. Perlis has a very short coastline, which extends for around twenty kilometres, with a total land area of 795 square kilometres. The capital of Perlis is Kangar, a town with a population of around 25,000, whilst Arau, ten kilometres east of Kangar is the Royal Town.

Perlis is mainly flat, thus accounting for its´ reputation for being part of the ´rice bowl´ of Malaysia. The main river running through the State is the Sungei Perlis, which reaches the sea at Kuala Perlis. The main occupations in Perlis are linked to agriculture, and a large part of the land area of the State is devoted to this sector.
 Perlis enjoys an equatorial climate with warm and dry seasons, the wettest months being from January to April. The temperature, which ranges from twenty degrees Celsius to a hot thirty four degrees Celsius, is accompanied by a high humidity of around eighty percent.

States of Malaysia