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Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia's Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba. Langkawi is a duty-free island.

Contents 1 Origin of the name 2 Geography 3 History 4 Transportation 5 Tourism 6 Image gallery 7 External links

The name Langkawi is a combination of 'Lang' and 'Kawi'. 'Lang' means 'Helang' eagle in Malay. In the past days the land was a home to innumerable eagles. 'Kawi' is the Sanskrit word for marble, which is found in excess in this part of Malaysia. Both these words together joined to form the word 'Helangkawi' which ultimately became as Langkawi.

Another reference found in the book of Tun Mohamed Zahir's named 'The Legends of Langkawi' which says its a mix of two sanskrit words 'Langka' (beauty) and 'Wi' (innumerable).

Langkawi lies north of the Straits of Malacca in the southern Andaman Sea near the border between Malaysia and Thailand. Only a few kilometres to the north lies the neighbouring Thai island of Ko Tarutao. The island group's main town, on the main island, is Kuah.

Langkawi's highest point is Gunung Raya, rising to 890 m above sea level in the main island's central-eastern area.[1]

The Isles of Langkawi consists of 104 islands with a total land area of about 528 sq km (204 sq m).

The name "Langkawi" is believed to be related to the kingdom of Langkasuka, centred in modern-day Kedah. The historical record is sparse, but a Chinese Liang Dynasty record (c. 500 AD) refers to the kingdom of "Langgasu" as being founded in the 1st century AD. 'Langkawi' means Eagle Island, it may be noted, and indeed there is a great abundance of eagles in the area. In Kuah, the capital, there is a huge eagle monument in Eagle Square which commemorates the origin of Langkawi's name.

Langkawi eventually came under the influence of the Sultanate of Kedah, but Kedah was conquered in 1821 by Siam and Langkawi along with it. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 transferred power to the British, who held the state until independence, except for a brief period of Thai rule under the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II. Thai influences remain visible in the culture and food of Langkawi, while Thai language is still understood by many on the island.

Langkawi was the site of the Langkawi Declaration, issued by the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations and making environmental sustainability one of the priorities of the Commonwealth.

From the Kuah jetty, there are high-speed ferry connections to Satun in southern Thailand, Pulau Payar, Penang, Kuala Kedah and to Kuala Perlis in the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia. Star Cruises ships dock at the Awana Porto Malai harbour on the west coast of the island. Malaysia Airlines has daily flights to Langkawi whilst AirAsia flies from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. SilkAir flies to Langkawi from Singapore and there is a Penang-Langkawi flight route operated by Firefly airline. The Langkawi island has a well developed road network. Taxis and car rentals are available at the Langkawi International Airport.

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Langkawi Island has recently been re-branded to LANGKAWI GEOPARK to better reflect the island's recognition by UNESCO as a World Geopark (on June 1, 2007). Three of its main Geopark components are Mt. Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Geoforest Park and Pulau Tasik Dayang Bunting (Island of the Pregnant Maiden Lake).

Sheltered by the mountainous backbone of Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi escapes the northeastern winter monsoon entirely and enjoys sunny skies when the eastern provinces are flooded. Coupled with natural white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage and craggy mountain peaks – but hampered by inaccessibility – the island was at one time touted as "Malaysia's best-kept secret".

Langkawi remained a sleepy backwater until 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status with the intention of promoting tourism. Subsequently the island's airport was upgraded and ferry links were increased.

Today, Langkawi competes with nearby Penang for the title of Malaysia's largest tourist draw. Resorts and 5-star hotels line the beaches and, in the winter high season, direct flights land from as far as Europe and Japan.

Besides being tax-free, the beach and eagle, another attraction in Langkawi is the Cable Car to the tops of Gunung Mat Cincang at 705m above sea level. Galeria Perdana a collection of over 2500 gift to the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad.

Langkawi is affected by the milder western monsoon (May-September), and while diving is possible at Pulau Payar, water clarity tends to be poor.

Cenang beach Life	The giant eagle statue in Eagle Square, Kuah viewed from behind	The same eagle viewed from front	Paddy fields in Langkawi
Cenang Beach	View of the northern Langkawi area from the cable car station.	Tapak Beras Terbakar (Site of the Burnt Rice) in Langkawi.	Cable Car Station view from hill

• Langkawi resource page
• Langkawi travel guide from Wikitravel
• Langkawi Origin: Legends and Myths
• Langkawi maps

v • d • e Kedah Darul Aman
Districts	Baling • Bandar Baharu • Kota Setar • Kuala Muda • Kubang Pasu • Kulim • Langkawi • Padang Terap • Pendang • Sik • Yan
City	Alor Star (capital)
Towns	Anak Bukit • Baling • Bandar Baharu • Bedong • Bukit Kayu Hitam • Changlun • Guar Chempedak • Gurun • Jeniang • Jitra • Kodiang • Kota Sarang Semut • Kuah • Kuala Kedah • Kuala Ketil • Kuala Nerang • Kulim • Langgar • Lunas • Merbok • Padang Matsirat • Padang Serai • Pendang • Pokok Sena • Sik • Sintok • Sungai Petani • Tokai • Yan
Islands	Pulau Langkawi • Pulau Payar

v • d • e Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER)
NCER Perlis	Padang Besar • Kangar • Perlis Seed Centre
NCER Kedah	Langkawi • Bukit Kayu Hitam • Universiti Utara Malaysia • Sultan Abdul Halim Airport • Menara Alor Star • Paddy Museum • Gurun • Sungai Petani Halal Hub • Kulim Hi-Tech Park
NCER Penang	Butterworth Outer Ring Road • Jelutong Expressway • KOMTAR • Penang Ferry Service • Penang Port • Penang Monorail • Penang Bridge • Penang Second Bridge • Penang Sentral • Penang International Airport • Penang Global City Centre • Penang Outer Ring Road • RapidPenang • Universiti Sains Malaysia
NCER Perak	Universiti Teknologi Petronas

Coordinates: 6°21′N, 99°48′E