The tax-free isle of Langkawi with its lagoons, inlets, lush green vegetation, and fascinating limestone structures is a majestic creation is a paradise on earth. Langkawi, a region of Malaysia's Kedah state, is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. It is some 30 kilometers away from the mainland of the North West part of Malaysia being separated by the Strait of Malacca. This Malaysian part of Langkawi lies adjacent to the border of the Thailand.
General Information
Out of the total islands the Pulau Langkawi is the greatest island that nurtures a population of almost 45,000. The other populated island of Langkawi is Pulau Tuba. Though most people know that the part includes a total of 99 islands, it is unknown to most that this count of the islands at the time of high tides. However, the count increases to some 104 during the low tides.
The highest point of the land is Gunung Raya that rises to a height of 890 meters above the sea-level. Gunung Raya is located on the central -eastern part of the land.
Location
Lying north of the Straits of Malacca, this group of islands is located in the southern Andaman Sea. As it lies close to the borders of Malaysia and Thailand, this portion of Malaysia is only a few kilometers away from the Thai island of Ko Tarutao.
Continental Drift theory
The continental drift theory states that during the Cambrian age the huge mass of Gondwana split into smaller masses of Africa, Australia, India and so on. The split which happened some 500 million years ago had some of the hills of the north- western part formed during this period.
Area
The total area of the land is 47,848 hectares with the main land itself having a total area of 32,000 kilometers. The main island spreads across an area of 25 kilometers from north to south.
The coastal area of Langkawi is mainly covered by the alluvial soil that is occasionally interrupted by the limestone ridges. Numerous structures, mainly stalactites and stalagmites add immensely to the beauty of the landscape. Climate
As located between 6 degree and 10minutes North to 6 degrees 30 minutes North latitudes and 99 degrees 35 minutes East to 100degrees East longitude, Langkawi enjoys an Equatorial type of climate. As a result the place has an annual temperature going as high as 24 degrees to 30 degrees.
The two distinct dry and wet seasons generally prevail in the land. The summers that are characterized by soothing breezes prevails from November to March. The wet season around April, has a humidity account as high as 80 %.
Districts
Langkawi is divided into 6 districts namely that of Mukim Kuah, Padang Matsirat, Ayer Hangat, Bohor, Ulu Melaka and Kedawang. Located in a beautiful geographical location the archipelago of Langkawi is there to mesmarize you with all its grandeur and glory.
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