Penang Island

Infobox Islands
name = Penang


image caption = View of Tanjung Bungah on the northern coast of the island
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Location map|Malaysia|lat=5.4|long=100.233333
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location = Strait of Malacca
coordinates = coord|5|24|N|100|14|E|display=inline
archipelago =
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area = convert|295|km2|sqmi|abbr=on
length =
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country = Malaysia
country admin divisions title = State
country admin divisions = flag|Penang
country admin divisions title 1 =
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country admin divisions title 2 =
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country largest city =
country largest city population =
population = 678,000
population as of = 2007
density = 229.83
ethnic groups = Ethnic Chinese: (41.7%), Malay: (41.3%), Indian Malaysian: (9.8%)
additional info =

Penang Island is located within the state of Penang, Malaysia. It is formerly known as Prince of Wales Island when first founded by the British, named on 12 August 1786 to commemorate the birthday of Prince George, Prince of Wales, later, King George IV. The capital Georgetown, was named after King George III.

The island is the fourth largest in the country with an area of 295 km². It is also the most populated island in the country with an estimated population of 678,000. [cite web|publisher=Tourism Penang|url=http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my/section.cfm?id=16|title=General Info|accessdate=2007] The island is connected with mainland Peninsular Malaysia by the Penang Bridge. The bridge begins at Gelugor on the island and ends in Perai on the mainland. The mainland portion of the Penang state is known as Seberang Perai (formerly known as Province Wellesley), and together with Penang Island and other smaller islands, form the state of Penang.

The island is divided into two administrative districts—South West Penang Island and North East Penang Island.

The eastern portion of the island facing the mainland Province Wellesley is highly urbanized and built-up with either industrial, commercial or residential areas. The western portion which serves as the green lung is generally less developed and hilly. [ [http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=5.400008,100.258484&spn=0.648048,0.933838&t=k&z=10&om=1 Satellite image from Google Maps] ]

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