| Penang Strait | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Penang Strait | |
| Location | Penang |
| Coordinates | 5°20′14″N 100°21′00″E / 5.3371°N 100.35°E |
| Part of | Strait of Malacca |
| Primary inflows | Penang Island: |
| Basin countries | Malaysia |
| Max. width | 3–11.265 km (1.864–7.000 mi) |
| Islands | Aman Island, Gedung Island, Jerejak Island |
| Settlements | Penang Island: |
The Penang Strait is an 11 kilometre-wide strait that separates Penang Island from mainland Malay Peninsula.[1] Penang Island is to the west of the channel, while Seberang Perai, the mainland half of the State of Penang, is to the east. The northern and southern ends of the channel join the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest maritime routes.
The strait provides deepwater passage to the Port of Penang, which is located in Butterworth in Seberang Perai. In addition, Swettenham Pier in George Town, Penang's capital city that is situated on Penang Island, is a popular destination for cruise ships, serving as one of the major entry points into Penang.[2]
Since the foundation of Penang as a trading outpost of the British Empire in 1786, the Penang Strait has historically been a busy shipping route.[3]
- ^ Ebook Sailing guide: Strait of Malacca (East). Sea-Seek. 2016.
- ^ "Is Penang's tourism on the right track?". Penang Monthly. 2015-10-01. Archived from the original on 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
- ^ "The Changing Harbour Front". Penang Monthly. 2016-07-01. Archived from the original on 2017-02-20. Retrieved 2017-03-01.