Selangor, Administrative state in western Peninsular Malaysia
Selangor is a state on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, running from the Strait of Malacca to the Titiwangsa Mountains. This area includes coastal mangroves, palm oil plantations, industrial zones and tropical forests spread across flat land and gentle hills.
Tin mining in the 19th century transformed small fishing villages into trading towns and drew workers from China and India. This growth led to Kuala Lumpur, which started as a tin depot, eventually becoming the capital of Malaysia, even though the city now forms its own federal territory.
The name comes from the Malay word for the Selangor River, which flows through the area and once connected trade routes. This mix shows today in street markets, where Malay vendors work next to Chinese tea houses and Indian spice stalls, while temples, mosques and churches often stand just a few streets apart.
Main highways run north to south, connecting coastal towns with inland areas, while Kuala Lumpur International Airport sits south of the central towns. Many places are easiest to reach by car, as public transport runs less often outside the main areas.
The blue dome of the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque in Shah Alam spans 51 meters (167 feet) and is surrounded by four minarets each rising 142 meters (466 feet). This height makes it a widely visible landmark in the flat land around.
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