Malacca (Malaysia)

Malacca City (Bandar Melaka) is the Malacca state's capital and port city with population of around 485,000. The current-day city was founded by prince Parameswara (a Malay Raja of Singapura renegade) who established the Malacca Sultanate in c 1400. The city became a major trading port for merchants from the Middle East, South and East Asia, and from Portugal, who intended to dominate the shipping routes in Asia. The offshore islands Besar, Undan and Upeh are part of the Malacca state and are accessible by jetty from the mainland.

The current-day Malacca City economy is largely based on tourism. Here are also hosted major international trade fairs and conferences. The city is becoming even more important with its location on the 2013-proposed by China "Maritime Silk Road". Among the most popular city attractions are:

• Kota A Famosa is a Portuguese fortress which Porta de Santiago (gate house) is among the southeast Asia's oldest European architectural remains still standing today.
• Jonker Walk is the Malacca's Chinatown located along Jonker Str.
• Little India is an ethnic enclave with a large Indian population). Malacca's Little India is located along Bendahara Str and the intersection with Temenggong Str. Here Indian traders sell a broad range of merchandise, including clothing, foods, flowers.
• Portuguese Settlement is a community of Kristang people (of mixed Portuguese-Malaccan-Indian-Chinese descent) located 5 km (3 ml) from the city.
• Stadthuys is the historic city hall.
• Maritime Museum is the country's the most visited museum (over 20,000 monthly visitors). The museum has live-size replica of the famous Portuguese 3-masted sailing ship "Flor do Mar" (aka Flor de la Mar).
• Christ Church is an 18th-century Anglican church, and also Malaysia's oldest still functioning Protestant church.
• Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum has artifacts related to the region's history.
• Malacca Zoo park has over 1200 animals of 215 species.
• Taming Sari Tower is a revolving gyro tower.