Pulau

Pulau is the Malay and Indonesian word for island. In everyday usage across Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore, the term is used in toponymy to denote an island and appears in many place names. The word is often part of the official name of an island.

Etymology: Pulau derives from Malay, meaning island. In toponymy, it is typically used as a prefix before the island's local name, such as Pulau Penang, Pulau Langkawi, or Pulau Tioman. In English-language contexts, the word is often translated as 'Island' or omitted in the anglicized form (Penang Island).

Usage and administration: Islands with Pulau in their name are found throughout the Malay-speaking world. In Malaysia and Indonesia, many islands are components of states or regencies and may be inhabited or uninhabited. The prefix helps distinguish island areas from mainland towns or districts in maps and government documents.

Significance: Islands named with Pulau are often centers for biodiversity, tourism, and local culture. The term itself reflects the archipelagic geography of Southeast Asia, where hundreds of islands are integral to national and regional identity.