Perak, State in northwestern Malaysia
Perak is a state on the western coast of peninsular Malaysia covering more than 21,000 square kilometers between the Strait of Malacca and mountain ranges to the east. The area includes flat coastal plains with large plantations, wide river valleys and forested uplands inland.
In the 19th century the region became one of the world's major tin extraction centers and drew thousands of Chinese workers to its valleys with mineral deposits. Control over the mines led to conflicts between local rulers and British colonial authorities that shaped political developments for decades.
The name derives from the word for silver and refers to the light grey tin found in the state's mines. Visitors can observe the large processing facilities and understand the link between mining activity and settlement patterns.
The North-South Expressway links the main cities and offers direct routes to historical towns such as Ipoh and Kuala Kangsar and smaller settlements along the coast. Many roads in the upland areas require four-wheel drive vehicles or public buses that run regularly between larger communities.
The territory includes a rainforest estimated at 130 million years old, considerably older than the Amazon. This ancient forest in Royal Belum State Park hosts threatened species such as the Malayan sun bear and Sumatran tiger that visitors may observe on guided walks.
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