PENANG' (`Betel-nut Island'). The most northerly of the British Straits Settlements (q.v.). It consists the island of Penang. formerly officially called Prince of Wales Island. and the coast districts known as Province Welles ley and the Bindings. The island of Penang, with an area of 107 square miles, is situated off the west coast of the Malay Peninsula at the north ern entrance to the _Malacca Strait (Map: Bur ma. D (1). The island is still largely covered with jungle, and is of great commercial impor tance, Georgetown, the capital, situated at the northeastern extremity, being the chief port of the Straits .Settlements next to Singapore. The town is defended by forts, and has a capacious harbor and a large shipping and commerce, lu 1898 there entered and cleared at the port .5114 vessels, of 3,761,094 tons. In 1899 the imports amounted to $69,078,371, and the exports to ::61, 424,10'. Thp principal exports are tin. spices, rice,
and sugar, nearly all of which are produced on the mainland. The total population of the Settle ment was, in 1891, 235,613, and in 1901. 248.'207. mostly Alalays and Chinese, there being only 1160 Europeans, most of whom were in the city of Georgetown. The population of Penang 1st land in 1001 was 125,830, and of Georgetown municipality 04,086. Penang Island was ceded to England in 1785 by the Rajah of Kedah, and organized in the following year under the East India Conipany, who later purchased Prov ince Wellesley. In 1806 was made a presidency of equal rank with :Madras and Bom bay, and it remained the chief seat of govern ment of the Straits Settlements, including Ma lacca and Singapore, until 1832, when the latter city superseded it.