Kedah

Kedah, officially Kedah Darul Aman, is a state of Malaysia located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. It borders Thailand to the north and has coastlines along both the Andaman Sea and the Straits of Malacca. The state capital is Alor Setar, and Istana Anak Bukit serves as a notable royal residence. Kedah is a constitutional Malay state headed by a Sultan, with a Menteri Besar as the head of government. The Langkawi archipelago, a major tourist destination, is part of Kedah.

Its interior comprises flat alluvial plains that support extensive paddy fields. Kedah is known as the rice bowl of Malaysia, with irrigation projects such as those operated by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority supporting agriculture. In addition to rice, the state produces rubber and palm oil, and its economy includes manufacturing and services, with Langkawi contributing through tourism and duty-free shopping.

Historically, Kedah is one of the oldest Malay states, with roots in ancient kingdoms and long periods of Siamese influence before becoming part of the Federation of Malaya and later Malaysia. The population is predominantly Malay, with Chinese and Indian communities. Islam is the state religion, while Malay is the official language and English is widely used in commerce and education.

Notable places include Langkawi's beaches and nature attractions, Gunung Jerai, and Kedah State Mosque. The state is served by Sultan Abdul Halim Airport for air travel and by ferry routes from mainland ports such as Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah to Langkawi. Kedah’s coastal and agricultural heritage shapes its identity within Malaysia.