View source for Langkawi

{{For|the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat|Langkawi (federal constituency)}}
{{distinguish|Lok Kawi}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2021}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name               = Langkawi
| official_name      = {{lang|ms|Daerah Langkawi}}
| settlement_type    = [[Districts of Malaysia|District]] of [[Kedah]]
| pushpin_map        = Malaysia#Malaysia West
| image_map          = Langkawi highlighted in Kedah, Malaysia.svg
| image_map1         = {{infobox mapframe}}
| map_caption        = Location of Langkawi in [[Kedah]]
| image_skyline      = Eagle square at Kuah Langkawi.jpg
| image_caption      = Eagle Square at Kuah, in Langkawi
| coordinates        = {{ coord|6|21|N|99|48|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_label_position = Center
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Langkawi in [[Malaysia]]
| image_flag         = 
| nicknames          = Jewel of Kedah (Permata Kedah), Tourism City (Bandaraya Pelancongan)
| image_seal         = The Seal of Langkawi Municipal Council.png
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Malaysia}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Kedah}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|State]]
| seat               = [[Kuah]]
| parts_type         = Local area government(s)
| parts              = Tourism City of Langkawi Municipal Council
| leader_title       = District officer
| leader_name        = Abdul Gafar Yahya
| area_total_km2     = {{formatnum:478.48|R}}
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mplbp.gov.my/en/mplbp/profile/background|title=Background|last=primuscoreadmin|date=13 November 2015|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417164416/http://www.mplbp.gov.my/en/mplbp/profile/background|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_total   = {{formatnum:85,588|R}}
| population_as_of   = 2010
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_footnotes = {{my10|2}}
| timezone           = [[Malaysian Standard Time|MST]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| timezone_DST       = 
| utc_offset_DST     = 
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Malaysia|Postcode]]
| postal_code        = 07xxx
| area_code          = +6-04
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Malaysia|Calling code]]
| registration_plate_type = [[Vehicle registration plates of Malaysia|Vehicle registration plates]]
| registration_plate = KV
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Langkawi''', officially known as '''Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah''' ({{langx|ms|Langkawi Permata Kedah }}), is a [[duty-free]] island and an [[archipelago]] of 99 islands (plus five small islands visible only at low tide in the [[Strait of Malacca]]) located some {{convert|30|km}} off the coast of northwestern [[Malaysia]] and a few kilometres south of [[Ko Tarutao]], adjacent to the [[Thailand|Thai]] border. Politically, it is an administrative [[list of districts in Malaysia|district]] of [[Kedah]], with [[Kuah]] as its largest town. Langkawi was developed as a tourist destination in the 1980s, and Pantai Cenang is the island's most popular beach and tourist area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.langkawi-info.com/cenang/|title=Pantai Cenang - Everything you Need to Know About Pantai Cenang|website=langkawi-info.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-03|archive-date=9 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609040749/http://www.langkawi-info.com/cenang|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=ABC Langkawi|access-date=11 August 2009|title=Shopping in Langkawi|url=http://www.abclangkawi.com/index.php/shopping-in-langkawi/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716191000/http://www.abclangkawi.com/index.php/shopping-in-langkawi/|archive-date=16 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Etymology==
[[File:Langkawi Malaysia Dataran-Helang-05.jpg|thumb|260px|left|Dataran Helang (Eagle Square)]]
The name ''Langkawi'' is thought to have existed by the early 15th century, although in the 16th century the [[island]] of Langkawi was also marked on maps variously as Langa, Langka, Lansura, and Langapura.<ref name="legends1">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=09FgUMSg6b0C&pg=PR8 |title=The Legends of Langkawi|author= Mohamed Zahir Haji Ismail |publisher=Utusan Publications & Distributors |year=2000|isbn=9789676110275}}</ref>

There are many suggestions for the origin of the name of Langkawi. According to one interpretation, ''Langkawi'' means island of the reddish-brown [[eagle]], a [[brahminy kite]] in colloquial [[Malay language|Malay]].<ref name="HughesMurphy2010">{{cite book|author1=Holly Hughes|author2=Sylvie Murphy|author3=Alexis Lipsitz Flippin|author4=Julie Duchaine|title=Frommer's 500 Extraordinary Islands|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ajhU1AAacUsC|access-date=9 February 2014|date=14 January 2010|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-59518-3|page=237}}</ref> The Malay word for eagle is {{lang|ms|helang}} (colloquially shortened to {{lang|ms|lang}}), and {{lang|ms|kawi}} is a red stone used as a chalk to mark goods.<ref name="legends1"/> This interpretation was used to create the landmark sculpture of an eagle as the symbol of Langkawi at Dataran Helang (Eagle Square) in [[Kuah]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hS0_GehsGPwC&pg=PA218 |title=the Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei |author=Charles de Ledesma |author2=Mark Lewis |author3=Pauline Savage |page=218 |publisher=Rough Guides |edition= 5th |year= 2006 |isbn= 978-1-84353-687-1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.langkawi-insight.com/langkawi_000016.htm |title=Langkawi Eagle Square - Dataran Lang |work=Langkawi Insight }}</ref>

Some believed that Langkawi is the same as, or related to, the [[Lanka]] or Langkapuri mentioned in Indian sources.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWy8DvqG-iEC&pg=PA94 |title=Malay Kingship in Kedah: Religion, Trade, and Society|author= Maziar Mozaffari Falarti |page=94|publisher= Lexington Books |year= 2012 |isbn=978-0-7391-6842-4 }}</ref> This ancient name Lanka (or Lankapura and Lankapuri) is found in Indian literature from an early period (named in ''[[Ramayana]]'' as the city of the king [[Ravana]]), although the identification of the original Lanka is not certain.<ref>{{cite journal |jstor=41559897 |title=An Introduction to the Study of Ancient Times in the Malay Peninsula and the Straits of Malacca |first=Roland |last= Braddell|journal=Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society|volume= 15|number= 3 (129) |date=December 1937|pages= 64–126 }}</ref> {{Transliteration|sa|Puri}} or {{Transliteration|sa|puram}} in Sanskrit means a town or city. The name Langkawi is also thought to be related to [[Langkasuka]], an old kingdom believed to have links with Kedah.<ref name="legends"/> Some also thought that Langkawi means "many beautiful islands", {{Transliteration|sa|langka}} being a Sanskrit word meaning "beautiful" while {{Transliteration|sa|wi}} means "many".<ref name="legends1"/>

In 2008, the Sultan [[Abdul Halim of Kedah]], conferred the title of {{lang|ms|Langkawi Permata Kedah}} (meaning 'Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah') upon the island as part of his [[golden jubilee]] as an affirmation of Kedah's ownership over the island.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/16/nation/20080716171300&sec=nation |title=It's Langkawi Permata Kedah now |last=Majid |first=Embun |work=The Star Online |date=16 July 2008 |access-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720232713/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2008%2F7%2F16%2Fnation%2F20080716171300&sec=nation |archive-date=20 July 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==History==
Langkawi had long been at the periphery of, but closely associated with, the domain of the [[Kedah Sultanate]]. Legend tells of a great snake ''ular besar'', the custodian of the Langkawi Islands, to which a new king of Kedah must sacrifice a virgin daughter whenever he ascended the throne, or when war was declared with another state.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWy8DvqG-iEC&pg=PA55 |title=Malay Kingship in Kedah: Religion, Trade, and Society|author= Maziar Mozaffari Falarti |page=55|publisher= Lexington Books |year= 2012 |isbn=978-0-7391-6842-4 }}</ref>

[[File:Mao Kun map - Langkawi, Kedah, Penang.png|thumb|230px|The [[Mao Kun map]] from ''[[Wubei Zhi]]'', derived from the 15th century navigation maps of [[Zheng He]], shows Langkawi ({{lang|zh-hant|龍牙交椅}}) next to [[Penang Island]] ({{lang|zh-hant|檳榔嶼}})]]

The island of Langkawi was recorded in history by various travellers to the region. It was called ''Lóngyápútí'' ({{lang|zh-hant|龍牙菩提}}) in the 14th century by the [[Yuan dynasty]] traveller [[Wang Dayuan]]. When the [[Ming dynasty]] admiral [[Zheng He]] visited the region, the island was marked as {{lang|zh-hant|龍牙交椅}}, ''Lóngyájiāoyǐ'', on his map. In the 15th century, it was known to the [[Acehnese people|Acehnese]] as ''Pulau Lada'' ('Pepper Island'). In 1691, the French general [[Augustin de Beaulieu]] recorded going to the island of "Lancahui" (Langkawi) to buy pepper,<ref name="legends">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=09FgUMSg6b0C&pg=PR9 |title=The Legends of Langkawi|author= Mohamed Zahir Haji Ismail |publisher=Utusan Publications & Distributors |year=2000|isbn=9789676110275}}</ref> and de Beaulieu was required to obtain a license from Kedah's heir apparent in [[Perlis]] before the ''[[penghulu]]'' or chief of Langkawi would sell pepper to him.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWy8DvqG-iEC&pg=PA99|title=Malay Kingship in Kedah: Religion, Trade, and Society|author= Maziar Mozaffari Falarti |page=99|publisher=Lexington Books |year= 2012 |isbn=978-0-7391-6842-4 }}</ref>

Langkawi was historically home to [[Austronesian peoples]], such as the [[Orang Laut]], originally from the southern part of the [[Malay Peninsula]] and [[Malay people]]. It had been thought to be cursed for a couple of centuries. According to local legend, in the late 18th century, a woman named [[Mahsuri]] was wrongfully accused of adultery and put to death. Before she died, she placed a curse on the island that would last for seven generations.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c0LrqNu5-JEC&pg=PA50 |title=Southeast Asian Culture and Heritage in a Globalising World: Diverging Identities in a Dynamic Region |editor=Ooi Giok Ling |editor2=Rahil Ismail |editor3=Brian J Shaw |publisher=Ashgate Publishing Company |page=50|year= 2009 |isbn=978-0-7546-7261-6 }}</ref> Not long after Mahsuri's death, in 1821, the Siamese army invaded Kedah and attacked Langkawi. In the first attack, the locals burned down the granary at [[Padang Matsirat]] to starve the Siamese army. The Siamese nevertheless captured the island in May 1822, killed its leaders, and took many islanders as slaves, while others fled.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=09FgUMSg6b0C&pg=PA132 |title=The Legends of Langkawi|author= Mohamed Zahir Haji Ismail |publisher=Utusan Publications & Distributors |year=2000 |pages=132–133|isbn=9789676110275}}</ref> Before the Siamese invasion, there was an estimated island population of 3,000–5,000, but only a small proportion was left after the invasion.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWy8DvqG-iEC&pg=PA119 |title=Malay Kingship in Kedah: Religion, Trade, and Society|author= Maziar Mozaffari Falarti |page=119|publisher= Lexington Books |year= 2012 |isbn=978-0-7391-6842-4 }}</ref>

The island was recaptured from the Siamese in 1837. In 1840–1841, the Sultan of Kedah, who went into exile after the Siamese attacks, was allowed to return by the Siamese. The Langkawi islands' population recovered afterwards. However, the Orang Laut who fled after the Siamese attacks did not return.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWy8DvqG-iEC&pg=PA121 |title=Malay Kingship in Kedah: Religion, Trade, and Society|author= Maziar Mozaffari Falarti |page=121|publisher= Lexington Books |year= 2012 |isbn=978-0-7391-6842-4 }}</ref> In 1909, the islands came under British rule following the [[Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909]]. The middle of the channel between [[Tarutao National Park]] and Langkawi became the [[Malaysia–Thailand border|Siamese border]]. During [[World War II]], Siam took control briefly as [[British Malaya]] fell to the Japanese.

Langkawi was a haven for pirates who attacked [[junks]] in the northern part of the [[Strait of Malacca]]. In a series of operations, between December 1945 and March 1946, the British cleared the pirates' land bases on Langkawi and Tarutao.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SlDe_cmh3mgC&pg=PA51 |title=Pirates in Paradise: A Modern History of Southeast Asia's Maritime Marauders|author= Stefan Eklöf |page=51|publisher=Nordic Institute of Asian Studies |year=2006 |isbn= 978-87-91114-37-3 }}</ref> The British continued to rule until Malaya gained its independence in 1957.

Langkawi remained a quiet backwater until 1986, when [[Prime minister|Prime Minister]] [[Mahathir Mohamad]] transformed it into a major tourist resort, helping to plan many of the islands' buildings himself.<ref name="Bound for Glory">{{cite magazine|author=Anthony Spaeth |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317235536/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/mahathir/mahathir961209.html |archive-date=17 March 2009 |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/mahathir/mahathir961209.html |title=Bound for Glory |magazine=Time|date=9 December 1996 |url-status=dead |access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref> Mahsuri's seven-generation curse was said to have been lifted after a seventh generation descendant of Mahsuri was born in the Thai [[Phuket Province|province of Phuket]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lestariheritage.net/phuket/webpages/mahsuri.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616200319/http://www.lestariheritage.net/phuket/webpages/mahsuri.htm |archive-date=16 June 2008 |title=Descendants of the White-Blooded Lady |work=Phuket Heritage |url-status=dead}}</ref> The island rapidly grew as a tourist destination, and by 2012, it received over three million tourists a year.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2013/06/20/langkawi-targets-4m-tourists-by-year-end/ |title= Langkawi targets 4m tourists by year-end |date=20 June 2013 |work=Free Malaysia Today }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lada.gov.my/v2/en/information/tourist-statistic.html |title=Tourist Statistics |work=Langkawi Development Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419045950/http://www.lada.gov.my/v2/en/information/tourist-statistic.html |archive-date=19 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:LangkawiMap.png|thumb|280px|Map of Langkawi]]

Langkawi, a cluster of 99 islands separated from mainland Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca, is a district of the state of Kedah in northern Malaysia and lies approximately {{convert|51|km|mi}} west of Kedah. The total landmass of the islands is {{convert|47,848|ha|acre}}. The main island is about {{convert|25|km|mi}} from north to south and slightly more from east to west. The coastal areas consist of flat, [[alluvial plain]]s punctuated with [[limestone]] [[ridge]]s. Two-thirds of the island is dominated by forest-covered mountains, hills, and natural vegetation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.langkawi-online.com/pages/geography.php |title=Geography |work=Langkawi Online |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423142825/http://www.langkawi-online.com/pages/geography.php |archive-date=23 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The island's oldest geological formation, the Machinchang Formation, was the first part of [[Southeast Asia]] to rise from the [[seabed]] in the [[Cambrian]] over half a billion years ago. The oldest part of the formation is observable at Teluk Datai to the northwest of the island, where the exposed [[outcrop]] consists of mainly [[sandstone]] ([[quartzite]]) in the upper parts and [[shale]] and [[mudstone]] in the lower parts of the sequence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://infolangkawi.blogspot.com/2009/07/langkawi-history.html |title=Langkawi History |date=7 July 2009 |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-date=20 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420071354/http://infolangkawi.blogspot.com/2009/07/langkawi-history.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The best exposure of Cambrian rocks (541 to 485 [[Mya (unit)|Ma]]) in Malaysia is the Machinchang Formation, composed of [[quartzose]] [[clastic rock]] formations, in Langkawi; the other known example, the Jerai Formation, emerges near the west coast of Kedah on the mainland.<ref>C.P. Lee / Palaeoworld 15 (2006) 242–255, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2006.10.007</ref> Geologically, all these rocks are in the Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia, which is thought to be part of the [[Shan–Thai terrane]].

== Climate ==
[[File:Before the Dawn at Langkawi Island.jpg|thumb|[[Parasailing]] at dawn]]

Langkawi receives more than {{convert|2400|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain annually. Langkawi features a [[tropical monsoon climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Am''). Langkawi has a short [[dry season]] from December until February. March to November is a long [[rainy season]]. September is the wettest month, when it can receive more than {{convert|500|mm|in|abbr=on}}.

{{Langkawi weatherbox}}

==Government and politics==
{{Infobox legislature
 | name               = Tourism City of Langkawi Municipal Council
 | native_name        = ''Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi Bandaraya Pelancongan''
 | native_name_lang   = Malay
 | members            = 
 | legislature        = 
 | coa_pic            = The Seal of Langkawi Municipal Council.png
 | coa_res            = 
 | coa_alt            = 
 | session_room       = 
 | foundation         = 24 March 2001
 | house_type         = Municipal Council
 | body               = 
 | jurisdiction       = Langkawi
 | leader1_type       = President
 | leader1            = Radzuan Bin Osman
 | leader2_type       = Municipal Secretary
 | leader2            = Noorul Azyyati Binti Ahmad Salmi
 | meeting_place      = [[Kuah]], Langkawi
 | website = {{URL|https://pbt.kedah.gov.my/index.php/majlis-perbandaran-langkawi-bandaraya-pelancongan}}
 | footnotes          = 
 | motto              = 
}}
Langkawi Municipal Council, officially known as the Tourism City of Langkawi Municipal Council ({{langx|ms|Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi Bandaraya Pelancongan}}, MPLBP) and formerly known as the Langkawi District Council ({{langx|ms|Majlis Daerah Langkawi}}) from 29 April 1987 until 23 March 2001, is the local authority of Langkawi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pbt.kedah.gov.my/index.php/latar-belakang-mplb/|title=Latar Belakang - Portal PBT Kedah}}</ref>

==Administrative divisions==

[[File:Map of Langkawi District, Kedah.svg|thumb|Administration division of Langkawi.]]

Langkawi District is divided into 6 [[mukim]]s, which are:
* Ayer Hangat
* Bohor
* Kedawang
* [[Kuah]]
* [[Padang Matsirat]]
* Ulu Melaka

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|align=none
|1991 |42938
|2000 |69681
|2010 |92784
|2020 |94138
|source={{my10|2020kf}}
|graph-pos=bottom
}}
Only four of the 99 islands are inhabited: Langkawi ({{lang|ms|Pulau Langkawi}}, the main island), Tuba, Rebak and Dayang Bunting. The population is approximately 99,000, around 65,000 of them in Langkawi, of which 90% are [[ethnic Malays|Malays]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mylangkawi.com/new/info/ginfo.htm |title=General Information |work=MyLangkawi.com |access-date=19 April 2015 |archive-date=2 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202153718/http://mylangkawi.com/new/info/ginfo.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The other [[ethnic groups]] consist mainly of [[Chinese people|Chinese]], [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Indians]], and [[Thai people|Thais]].

[[Islam in Malaysia|Islam]] is practised primarily by ethnic Malays. Other major religions are [[Hinduism in Malaysia|Hinduism]] (mainly among [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Indians]]), [[Buddhism in Malaysia|Buddhism]] (mainly among Chinese and [[Thai people|Thai]]), and [[Christianity in Malaysia|Christianity]] (mostly Chinese).

[[Malaysian language|Standard Malay]] is the official language. [[English language|English]] is widely spoken and understood by the locals. Most natives speak a Langkawi variant of [[Kedah Malay]], with minorities also speaking [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Southern Thai|Siamese]].

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Ethnic Group
!colspan="2"|2010<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928163953/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/census2010/Taburan_Penduduk_dan_Ciri-ciri_Asas_Demografi.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2011 |page=63|url = http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/census2010/Taburan_Penduduk_dan_Ciri-ciri_Asas_Demografi.pdf |title=Taburan Penduduk Dan Ciri-Ciri Asas Demografi 2010 |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia }}</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[ethnic Malays|Malay]] || 79,146 || 83.51%
|-
|style="text-align:left" | Other [[Bumiputras]] || 153 || 0.16%
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Chinese Malaysians|Chinese]] || 4,325 || 4.56%
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Indian Malaysians|Indian]] || 1,747|| 1.84%
|-
|style="text-align:left" | Others || 217 || 0.23% 
|-
|style="text-align:left" | Non-Malaysian || 9,189 || 9.70%
|-
|style="text-align:left" | '''Total''' || '''94,777''' || '''100%'''
|}

== Federal Parliament and State Assembly Seats ==

Langkawi district representatives in the Federal [[Dewan Rakyat|Parliament of Malaysia]]

{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align: left;"
|-
! align="centre"|Parliament !! Seat Name !! Member of Parliament !! Party
|-
! align="left"|P4
| [[Langkawi (federal constituency)|Langkawi]] || [[Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah]] || [[Perikatan Nasional]] ([[Malaysian United Indigenous Party|BERSATU]])
|}

List of Langkawi district representatives in the [[Kedah State Legislative Assembly]].

{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align: left;"
|-
! align="centre"|Parliament !! State !! Seat Name !! State Assemblyman !! Party
|-
! align="left"|P4
| N1|| [[Ayer Hangat (state constituency)|Ayer Hangat]] || Shamsilah Siru || [[Perikatan Nasional]] ([[Malaysian United Indigenous Party|BERSATU]])
|-
! align="left"|P4
| N2 || [[Kuah (state constituency)|Kuah]] || Amar Pared Mahamud || [[Perikatan Nasional]] ([[Malaysian United Indigenous Party|BERSATU]])
|}

==Tourism==
[[File:Langkawi Pantai Cenang 3.JPG|thumb|250px|Islands of Langkawi]]
On 1 June 2007, Langkawi Island was given a [[International Network of Geoparks|World Geopark]] status by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{cite news|work=The Star Online|access-date=24 December 2007|title=Langkawi given geopark status|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/8/nation/17962886&sec=nation|date=8 June 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909060354/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F6%2F8%2Fnation%2F17962886&sec=nation|archive-date=9 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Three of its main conservation areas in Langkawi Geopark are Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest park (Island of the Pregnant Maiden Lake). These three parks are the most popular tourism area within Langkawi Geopark. In 2014, UNESCO issued a "yellow card" warning that the park could lose its status as a geopark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/langkawi-risks-losing-geopark-status-after-unesco-yellow-card|title=Langkawi risks losing Geopark status after Unesco 'Yellow Card'|publisher=Themalaysianinsider.com|access-date=18 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128234135/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/langkawi-risks-losing-geopark-status-after-unesco-yellow-card|archive-date=28 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Cable car and Sky Bridge===
[[File:Langkawi sky bridge.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The [[Langkawi Sky Bridge]] above the rainforest canopy]]
The [[Langkawi Cable Car]] takes visitors up to the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang, where the [[Langkawi Sky Bridge]] is located. The Sky Bridge was closed in 2012 for maintenance and upgrading but reopened in February 2015. An [[inclined lift]] called SkyGlide that would take visitors from the top station to the Sky Bridge was completed in late 2015.<ref name="skyglide">{{cite web |url=http://www.panoramalangkawi.com/sky_glide/ |title=A Convenient Way To Visit SkyBridge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106215949/http://www.panoramalangkawi.com/sky_glide/ |archive-date=6 January 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=September 2021}}

The start of the cable car ride is located in the Oriental Village where there are several attractions, including a 3-Dimensional art museum known as Art in Paradise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1323094 |title=Tun Mahathir officiates Langkawi 3D art museum|date= 7 February 2015 |work=The Sun Daily }}</ref>

===The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park (The Kilim River)===

The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park is a mangrove forest park which consists of limestone caves and three interconnected river estuaries that stretch approximately 10&nbsp;km from Kisap village to Tanjung Rhu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.langkawi-info.com/attractions/kilim-karst-geoforest-park.htm|title=Kilim Karst Geoforest Park Langkawi}}</ref> Bats, crocodiles, eagles, kingfishers, monitor lizards, macaques, otters, snakes and tree crabs are some of the most commonly found wildlife in the park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onceinalifetimejourney.com/once-in-a-lifetime-journeys/kilim-geoforest-park-tour/|title=Langkawi's Kilim Geoforest Park Tour|last=Once in a Lifetime Journey|date=7 August 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kilimgeoforestpark.com/|title=Home - Kilim Geoforest Park Langkawi|access-date=23 January 2022|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123025910/https://kilimgeoforestpark.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===MAHA Tower Langkawi===

MAHA Tower is a tower in [[Kuah]], it is the latest addition, also part of the Langkawi City's project.<ref name="LANGKAWI CITY">{{cite web | title=LANGKAWI CITY | website=LANGKAWI CITY | url=https://langkawicity.com.my/ | access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref> The tower is approximately 1.40&nbsp;km from Dataran Lang.<ref name="Tower">{{cite web | title=The Jewel of Langkawi's Skyline | website=Maha Tower | url=https://www.mahatower.com.my/ | access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>

===Relic of Mahsuri===

Relic of Mahsuri in Wings by Croske Resort Langkawi at [[Padang Matsirat]], recorded the ancient history and story of Langkawi, is part of the State Government of Kedah's Safe Langkawi project. The hand crafted featured stone wall is 200 meters from [[Langkawi International Airport]] .

===Durian Perangin Waterfall===

Durian Perangin Waterfall is a cascading waterfall located on the northeastern side of Langkawi Island, Malaysia. It is named after the durian trees that grow in the surrounding rainforest. The waterfall consists of multiple tiers, with natural pools at the base of each cascade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biztechcommunity.com/style-travel/things-to-do-in-langkawi/|title=15 Fun Things to Do in Langkawi for A Stress-Free Vacation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026000000/https://biztechcommunity.com/style-travel/things-to-do-in-langkawi/|archive-date=26 October 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:View of Langkawi International Airport.JPG|thumb|Boarding flight at Langkawi International Airport]]

The island of Langkawi can be reached by sea and air. The Langkawi Jetty Point connects the island to main destinations like [[Kuala Perlis]], [[Kuala Kedah]] and Tamalang. There's also ferry service to [[Satun]] town and to [[Ko Lipe]] island in Thailand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelfish.org/transport/malaysia/peninsular_malaysia/perlis/langkawi/all |title=Langkawi: Getting there and away |work=Travelfish}}{{better source needed|date=September 2021}}</ref> The ferry between Langkawi and Ko Lipe operates from October until June. The departure/arrival point in Langkawi is at Kuah Jetty, Langkawi and Telaga Harbour, Langkawi. The departure/arrival point in Ko Lipe is at Pattaya Beach. As there is no pier in Ko Lipe, transfers to the beach are done with local [[long-tail boat]]s. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|title=KohLipe.my|url=https://www.kohlipe.my/langkawi-koh-lipe-ferry/|website=Koh Lipe Tour Packages, Hotel, Ferry & Speed boat, Transfer & Snorkeling Trip|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref>

[[Langkawi International Airport]] is one of seven international [[airports in Malaysia]] and connects the island to [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Singapore]], [[Penang]] and [[Subang, Selangor|Subang]].

==Twin towns – Sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia#Langkawi|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia}}

Langkawi currently has two [[sister cities]]:

* {{flagicon|IRN}} [[Kish Island]], Iran.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 January 2015 |title=Senior KFZO Advisor, Malaysian Ambassador Meet in Kish |url=http://en.kishairlines.ir/news/detail/Senior-KFZO-Advisor--Malaysian-Ambassador-Meet-in-Kish/1083/view/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221055021/http://en.kishairlines.ir/news/detail/Senior-KFZO-Advisor--Malaysian-Ambassador-Meet-in-Kish/1083/view/ |archive-date=21 December 2015 |access-date=21 December 2015 |publisher=[[Kish Airlines]]}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|IDN}} [[Mataram (city)|Mataram]], Indonesia.

== See also ==
* [[Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition]]
* [[Langkawi Island bent-toed gecko]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Langkawi}}
* [http://www.langkawigeopark.com.my Official Langkawi Website]
* [http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/web-page/places/states-of-malaysia/kedah/langkawi Tourism Malaysia - Langkawi]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160131042037/http://naturallylangkawi.my/EN/Home Official Langkawi Tourism Site]
* [https://focaljourney.com/langkawi-cable-car-and-skybridge/]

{{Sequence|
prev= [[Kulim District|Kulim]]|
list= Capital of [[Kedah]]<br> (1800–1864)|
next= [[Kulim District|Kulim]]|
}}
{{Geographic location
 | North = [[Satun Province]], {{flag|Thailand}}
 | West = ''[[Strait of Malacca]]''
 | Centre = ''Langkawi''
 | East = {{flag|Perlis}}
 | South = ''[[Strait of Malacca]]''
}}
{{Kedah}}
{{Geography of Kedah}}
{{Districts of Malaysia}}
{{Northern Corridor Economic Region}}
{{Local governments in Malaysia}}
{{Malaysia border crossings|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Langkawi| ]]
[[Category:Global Geoparks Network members]]
[[Category:Northern Corridor Economic Region]]
[[Category:Geoparks in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Islands of the Strait of Malacca]]