Malacca

views updated May 21 2018

Malacca (Melaka) Malaysian state on the Strait of Malacca, sw Malay Peninsula; the capital is Malacca. The city was founded in 1403 and prospered as the leading trade centre for e Asia. The Muslim sultanate of Malacca became the region's most powerful empire, and the centre for the spread of Islam throughout Malaya. In 1511, Malacca was conquered by the Portuguese. In 1641, the Dutch seized the region and fortified the city. In 1824, it was ceded to Britain. In 1957, it became a state of independent Malaya and, in 1963, of Malaysia. Area: 1658sq km (640sq mi). Pop. (2000) 602,867.