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Terengganu (formerly spelled Trengganu) is a state of Malaysia. It is located on the north-eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, near but not adjacent to the Thai border. The Perhentian Islands are also a part of the state. The state has a total area of 12,955 sq. km.
The capital of Terengganu is the coastal city of Kuala Terengganu, which is also the royal capital. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman ("Abode of Faith").
Terengganu's location on the South China Sea ensured that it was on trade routes since ancient times. The earliest written reports on the area that is now Terengganu were by Chinese merchant seamen in early centuries A.D. Like other Malay states, Terengganu practiced a Hindu– Buddhist culture combined with animist traditional beliefs for hundreds of years before the arrival of Islam in the Peninsula. Terengganu was the first Malay state to receive Islam, as attested to by a 14th-century stone with Arabic inscriptions that used to be in Kuala Berang, the capital of the district of Ulu (inland) Terengganu, and is now in a museum. During the 19th century, Terengganu was a vassal state of Thailand and sent tribute every year to the Emperor of Siam in the form of "bunga mas" (golden flowers). In the first decade of the 20th century, Terengganu became a protectorate of Britain, as a so-called "Unfederated State" of Malaya, while her Sultan retained de jure sovereignty and considerable de facto local autonomy. During the World War II Japanese occupation, the state, along with other former Malay vassal states of Thailand ( Kelantan, KedahPeninsular Malaysia Kedah (pop. 1,000,000) is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of 9,425 km², and consists mostly of flat areas growing rice, plus the island of Langkawi. The state', and PerlisPeninsular Malaysia Perlis in full Perlis Indera Kayangan is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Thailand on its northern border. Since 2000, the Raja or hereditary monarch has been), was officially described by the Japanese authorities as part of Thailand, but after the victory of the AlliesIn general, allies are people or groups that have joined an alliance and are working together to achieve some common purpose. In general English usage, those who share a common goal and whose work toward that goal is complementary may be viewed as allies, British influence returned to Terengganu until Malaya gained independence in 1957. In 1999For the album by Prince, see 1999 (album 1999 is a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the UN. Events Kosovo War Former child star Gary Coleman files for bankruptcy Y2K prep, following decades of rule by UMNO—the senior partner in the Barisan NasionalBarisan Nasional (National Front) is a political coalition in Malaysia. Formed in 1973 as the successor of the Alliance (Parti Perikatan), it has ruled Malaysia uninterrupted since independence. As of December 2003, Barisan Nasional's member parties are: (National Front) coalition that rules the national government—the Islamic party PAS won the 1999 election in Terengganu, making it the second state in Malaysia to be ruled by PAS, the first being neighboring Kelantan. However, in the general election of 2004 the state was recaptured by UMNO.
The Sultan or hereditary monarch of Terengganu since 1998 has been Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is concurrently Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. The Chief Executive or Menteri Besar is currently Dato' Idris Jusoh of Barisan Nasional, a businessman.
One of Terengganu's main industries is oil. There are huge petrochemical complexes near Paka and Kijal, involving many joint ventures between the Malaysian national oil company, Petronas, and foreign multinationals. Tourism and fishing are also major industries in Terengganu, a state with a long coastline that is well known within Malaysia for local foods including Keropok Lekor, which is made primarily from a combination of dough and pounded fish, fried and served with hot sauce. Agriculture also remains important in this developing state, with many fresh bananas, rambutan, durian, watermelons, and various other fruits and vegetables available in season.
Among the major tourist attractions in the state are the large reservoir lake, Tasik Kenyir, in Ulu Terengganu, and several offshore islands such as Redang Island which in particular attract snorkelers.