Perak, at one time the world’s number one producer of tin ore, takes its name from a silvery-coloured fish found in its rivers (perak means silver in Bahasa Malaysia).

Tin played a prominent role in the state’s history and economy. The growth of its major towns, as well as the existence of numerous millionaires in years gone by, can be attributed to tin. In fact, the first person to own a car in the country (then Malaya) was a tin-miner from Perak.

Tin mine

Although tin-mining has ceased to be a major industrial activity, visitors can view the state’s glorious mining history at the Darul Ridzuan Museum in Ipoh, the state capital.

Economic activity

Much of the state’s economic activity is now in its agriculture, forestry, fisheries and manufacturing sectors.

Perak is the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia with a total area of over 21,000sq km, almost half of which is forested; 95.6% of its greenery is tropical rainforest, while the remainder is mangrove forest.

The state is well known for its produce – groundnuts, the famous Tambun pomeloes, taugeh (beansprouts) and guava, which is commercially cultivated mostly on former mining land in Bidor. Vegetables and aquaculture products are also cultivated on mining land here and sold to other states.

Scenic limestone hills

Ipoh is also famous throughout the country for its food and beverages, such as Rendang Tok, chicken, kway teow (flat noodles) and white coffee.

As for scenic value, Perak is noted for its limestone hills; set within these are famous cave temples such as the Sam Poh Tong, Perak Tong and Kek Look Tong.

The royal town of Kuala Kangsar has numerous old buildings and structures of historical value such as the Ubudiah Mosque and the Iskandariah Palace. Here, the last surviving rubber tree of the original batch that was brought from London's Kew Gardens in 1877 by H.N. Ridley can be seen at the district office.

The historical town of Taiping is famous for many firsts, including the first railway line, museum, and hill resort (Bukit Larut). In 2001, the town, working with the United Nations, launched the Taiping Peace Initiative dedicated to promoting a culture of peace in the world.