Johor
Malacca
Negeri Sembilan
Selangor
Perak
Kedah
Perlis
Pahang
Terengganu
Kelantan
Penang
Sabah
Sarawak
Kuala Lumpur
Labuan
Putrajaya
Selangor is a state in western Malaysia bordering the states of Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang. The federal territory of Kuala Lumpur was created on land ceded by Selangor in 1974. The state capital is Shah Alam. The area of Selangor is about 8184 sq km (3160 sq mi).
The Kelang Valley in the triangle between Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Port Kelang (formerly Port Swettenham) is now the state's industrial heartland. The Proton automobile factory in Shah Alam is an important component of Malaysia's program to become an industrialized nation.
Selangor was under the rule of the kingdom of Malacca before coming under the rule of the Buginese (from Ujungpandang) in the 18th century. During the 19th century, wars over tin deposits led to British intervention in 1874 and to membership in the Federated Malay States in 1895. Selangor's early development resulted from tin and rubber exports and coal mining at Batu Arang: the first railway in the state was built in 1890. In 1948 Selangor became part of the Federation of Malaya, the forerunner of modern Malaysia. Population (1991) 2,289,230.
Selangor covers an area of approximately 8,000 sq km on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It has the distinction of' being the most populated state with about 3.75 million inhabitants, a large proportion of whom live around the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, though the balance is now shifting towards its new capital, Shah Alam. Home to the largest port in the country, Port Klang, it is a highly developed state whose well-diversified economy ranges from agriculture, industrial, commercial to tourism. Many of the country's largest industrial operations are found in the various industrial zones, particularly in the Klang Valley. Its history dates to the 16th century when rich tin deposits were found, attracting miners, immigrants and colonisers. By the middle of the 18th century, the Bugis, who established the present Sultanate, had begun to dominate the state both politically, and economically. In-fighting between the Bugis, Chinese and Malay nobility gave the British their opportunity to gain a foot-hold. Selangor remained under British rule from 1874 until independence.
Late 15th-century Selangor
fell under the dominion of the Melaka Sultanate. In 1680 Selangor
experienced mass immigration by Bugis trying to escape Dutch
control in their home island of Macassar. Eventually the number
of Bugis superseded the original Minangkabau population. By the
18th century, the Bugis had consolidated their control of
Selangor and in 1740 established the present Sultanate, with the
capital at Kuala Selangor. An influx of Chinese tin miners
occurred in the 19th century, bringing with them their community
traditions and social structure, most notably the secret society
establishment. As in Perak, rival factions split the Selangor
Chinese community. The situation became tense as the established
power structure was disrupted by the emergence of various petty
tin chiefs. However the Chinese rivalry did not erupt in
full-scale fighting until a Malay war over royal succession broke
out in 1870. The tin trade came to a standstill. This led to
British intervention in 1874. J.G. Davidson was installed as the
first British Resident. Selangor became a Federated Malay State
in 1896. The British Military Administration took over following
the end of the Japanese occupation. The British in London formed
the Malayan Peninsula Planning Unit in 1943, and on 10 October
1945, the Malayan Union scheme was laid out before the British
Parliament. A day later, Sir Harold MacMichael was sent to the
Malayan Peninsula to obtain the agreement of the Malay Rulers.
According to this agreement, Pulau Pinang, Melaka and 9 other
Malay states were united under the Malayan Union. Malay
opposition derailed the Malayan Union plan, and the Malays under
Dato' Onn Jaafar's leadership formed the United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO) on 11 May 1946. The Malay Federation was
founded on 1 February 1948, the first step towards independence,
and on 31 August 1957, independence was achieved.
Selangor is the most
populated state in Malaysia, and looks set to grow even more with
the construction of Putrajaya, the new federal administration
centre. Tourist attractions include parks, recreational centres,
waterfalls, historical sites and many more. Selangor is also
famous for its world-class pewter products. Selangor is also a
shopping paradise, with modern shopping complexes stocking
world-class products and night markets offering bargain goods.
Area
7,955 square km
State Capital
Shah Alam
Royal Town
Klang
Administrative Divisions
9 (Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat, Kuala Selangor, Petaling, Sabak
Bernam, Sepang, Ulu Langat and Ulu Selangor)
Sub-Administrative Divisions
56
Population
3,947,527 (2000)
Breakdown of Races (1995)
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