Malaysia is the 67th-largest country in the world by area, and it has a population to match its size. Malaysia, one of the most populous nations on earth, has a large number of significant cities that contribute to these figures. As of 2016, Kota Bharu, the country’s largest city, with 1.459 million residents. With a population of 1.453 million, Kuala Lumpur, the country’s second-largest metropolis, isn’t far behind. Even though these are the only two cities in the nation to have crossed the million-person mark, other significant cities have added to the country’s overall population.
1. Ipoh
With 737,861 people living there in the metropolitan region, Ipoh ranks third in terms of population in Malaysia. The state of Perak’s capital is located in this city. The city is situated on the bank of the Kinta River and is situated in the Kinta Valley in peninsular Malaysia. The Kledang mountain range, which stretches from the city’s north to west side, is another feature of the area.
2. Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the biggest city in Malaysia with a population of 7,200,000 people in the metro area. The city is the capital of Malaysia and is also one of the three Federal Territories of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is located in the Klang Valley at the point where the Gombak and Klang rivers converge. Historians do not know exactly when or who founded the city but it is usually agreed upon that the town was established in 1857 when the Chief of the city of Klang hired some Chinese miners to open tin mines in the area which is now Kuala Lumpur.
3. Georgetown
With a population of 2,412,616, George Town in Penang is the second-largest city in Malaysia. The state of Penang’s capital is located in the city. The city is situated on Penang Island in Peninsular Malaysia. In order to reclaim trade routes from the Dutch and have a naval base, the British East India Company sought to establish a foothold in Southeast Asia in 1786. With order to establish trade ties in the Malaysian archipelago, they sent Captain Francis Light (1740–94) who arrived on Penang Island in July. They reached an understanding with Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah of Kedah that the British would defend the nation from Siam. In order to draw immigrants, Light went back and declared Penang Island a British property in August of 1786. Soon after, he erected Fort Cornwallis and founded the city of George Town as a free port.
4. Johor Bahru
With 497,067 inhabitants, Johor Bahru is the fourth-largest city in Malaysia. The state of Johor’s capital is located in this city. The city is located near the Straits of Johor and is the southernmost city on the Malaysian peninsula. The Sultanate of Johor (1523–19th century) created Iskandar Puteri in 1855, and a few years later, in 1862, it was called Johor Bahru. Chinese and Javanese people were invited to the region during this time, which led to the development of the area into a centre for agriculture. During the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar, the city began to genuinely grow (1833-95).
5. Malacca City
Malacca, commonly known as Melaka in Bahasa Malaysia, is a great destination for leisurely daytime pursuits or a multi-day visit. There are lots of hotels and hostels to choose from, but there are also lots of people who are prepared to rent out their homes in Malacca. The city is home to a wide variety of stunning sights, each of which amply displays the city’s rich past. Malacca is conveniently reachable from Kuala Lumpur by bus, taxi, or rental car. Weekend trips to Malacca are popular among city dwellers who want to get some rest and indulge in the mouthwatering cuisine that the city is known for.
6. Kota Kinabalu
The capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state is Kota Kinabalu, which is located in the northern region of the island of Borneo. It is a seaside city sometimes abbreviated as “KK” that is partially encircled by jungle. The beachfront Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, contemporary boardwalk, and busy markets are all well-known features. Additionally, it serves as an entrance to the 4,095-meter-high Mount Kinabalu National Park.
7. Kuantan
Malaysia’s Pahang state has Kuantan as its capital city. It is close to the Kuantan River’s mouth. Based on population estimates from 2010, Kuantan is the largest city on Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast and the 18th largest city in all of Malaysia. On August 27, 1955, HRH Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al Muadzam Shah, the Sultan of Pahang, ceremonially moved the state’s administrative centre from Kuala Lipis to Kuantan.
8. Alor Setar
The state capital of Malaysia’s Kedah is Alor Setar. It is one of the most significant cities on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the second-largest city in the state after Sungai Petani. The Alor Setar Tower, Malaysia’s third-tallest telecommunications tower, is located there.
