- Author:
- Wright, Arnold
- Publication Info:
-
London, Durban, Colombo, Perth (W. A.), Singapore, Hongkong, and Shanghai:
Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Company, limited,
1908,
pg 858
Text on page 858
858 TWENTIETH CENTURY IMPRESSIONS OF BRITISH MA LA VA
the lakes.
PERAK.
PERAK, with an area of 6,555 square miles, is the largest of the Western States, and the most important commercially. It extends from 30 37' to 6A 05' North latitude, and from iooA 3r to ioiA 51' East longitude. Its boundaries are Province Wellesley, Kedah, and Rahman on the north, Selangor on the south, Kelantan and Pahang on the east, and the Straits of Malacca on the west. The coast line extends for about 90 miles.
The rivers of the State are numerous, and, in general, are navigable for vessels of shallow draught. The Perak river, near the mouth of
THE LATE J. . W. BIRCH.
(First British Resident of Perak.)
tribute from the Plus, the Kinta, and the Batang Padang, all of which are deep enough to carry cargo boats, and during its course it flows through some of the loveliest scenery in the Federated Malay States, notably that surrounding Kuala Kangsa. The Bernam river, forming the southern boundary line of the State, is navigable for 100 miles to steamers of three or four hundred tons. A canal runs from Utan Melintan, near the mouth of the river, to Teluk Anson. Other rivers which may be mentioned are the Dinding, Bruas, Larut, Sa'petang, Kurau, and Krian rivers.
that which runs along the eastern boundary of the State and forms the watershed of the peninsula. Some of the peaks in this range
THE TOWN IN 1878, FROM THE OLD RESIDENCY.
which stands the port of Teluk Anson, takes its rise in the northern hills and flows due south for the greater part of its course. It receives
The uplands of Perak may be divided roughly into two main chains of mountains and a few detached groups of hills. The highest range is
attain an altitude of 7,000 feet. The other chain extends from the south of Larut to the northern boundary of the State, the highest points being Gunong Bubu (5,450 feet) and Gunong Inas (5,896 feet). These ranges enclose the basins of the Perak and Kinta rivers, which are separated by a smaller range of hills.
The geological formation of the State is primarily granitic ; secondly, a large series of beds of gneiss, quartzite, schist, and sandstone is overlaid in many places by thick beds of crystalline limestone ; thirdly come small sheets of trap rock ; and fourthly, river gravels and quaternary deposits. Much, however, remains to be known as to the various periods in which the Titanic upheavals responsible forThe geological formation of the State is primarily granitic ; secondly, a large series of beds of gneiss, quartzite, schist, and sandstone is overlaid in many places by thick beds of crystalline limestone ; thirdly come small sheets of trap rock ; and fourthly, river gravels and quaternary deposits. Much, however, remains to be known as to the various periods in which the Titanic upheavals responsible for