Kelantan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelantan
Kelate
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| Kelantan Darul Naim | |||
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Sultan Ismail Petra Arch
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| Motto(s):
To God Kelantan Surrenders
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| Capital | Kota Bharu | ||
| Royal capital | Kota Bharu | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Parliamentary constitutional monarchy | ||
Kelantan is a state in Malaysia. Its capital city and royal seat is Kota Bharu. Kelantan is located in the northeast part of Peninsular Malaysia. It shares borders with Narathiwat Province in Thailand to the north. It also borders other Malaysian states: Terengganu to the southeast, Perak to the west, and Pahang to the south. The South China Sea is to its northeast.
People say the name Kelantan means "Land of Lightning." It is mostly a farming state, known for its green paddy fields, quiet fishing villages, and beaches lined with casuarina trees. Kelantan is also home to some of the oldest archaeological finds in Malaysia. These include places where prehistoric aboriginal people used to live.
Because Kelantan is a bit isolated and has a mostly rural lifestyle, its culture is a little different from other parts of Malaysia. You can see these differences in its food, art, and the special Kelantanese Malay language. This language can even be hard for some people who speak standard Malay to understand.
A Glimpse into Kelantan's Past
Kelantan's early history is not fully clear. However, archaeological discoveries show that humans lived here in prehistoric times. In its early days, Kelantan had connections with powerful kingdoms like the Funan Kingdom, the Khmer Empire, Sri Vijaya, Majapahit, and Siam.
Around the year 1411, Raja Kumar, who ruled Kelantan, became independent from Siam. By the end of the 15th century, Kelantan had grown into an important center for trade.
Exploring Kelantan's Famous Places
Kelantan has many interesting places to visit. Here are some of them:
- Siti Khadijah Market – This market is named after Prophet Muhammad's wife, Siti Khadijah, who was a successful businesswoman. It's a fitting name because most of the stalls here are run by women.
- Taman Negara – This national park is found within the Hantu Hill and Lebir reserve forest. It's a great place to experience nature.
- Wat Photivihan Sleeping Buddha – This temple is one of 25 temples in Tumpat. It is one of the most popular temples in the country, famous for its large reclining Buddha statue.
- Sultan Ismail Petra Silver Jubilee Mosque – This mosque has a unique design. It mixes both Chinese and Islamic architectural styles.
- Irama Bachok Beach – Located in the Bachok District, this beach is a favorite spot for locals and visitors in Kelantan.
- Gunung Stong State Park – This park is home to the Jelawang Waterfall, which has seven tiers and is one of the highest waterfalls in Malaysia.
- Muhammadi Mosque – This mosque is a symbol of beauty in the city. It is known for its graceful gates and golden colors.
- Masjid Al-Ismaili – This mosque is located in Bandar Baru Pasir Pekan, near Wakaf Baru.
- Pantai Bisikan Bayu (Beach of Whispering Breeze) – The gentle breeze at this beach makes a soft sound. Locals say it sounds like a soothing whisper.
- Handicraft Village and Craft Museum – Here, you can see many beautiful examples of Kelantanese craftsmanship. These include traditional embroidery, batik printing, silver work, and wood carving.
Images for kids
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The 17th century Mao Kun map from Wubei Zhi which is based on the early 15th century navigation maps of Zheng He showing Kelantan river estuary (吉蘭丹港).
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Thousands flocked into the streets of Kota Bharu to witness the Burung Petala Procession in 1933.
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Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra Mosque.
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Reclining Buddha in Wat Photivihan.
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See also
In Spanish: Kelantan para niños
