Kampar

Kampar

  • Submitted By: dash89
  • Date Submitted: 12/08/2008 10:51 PM
  • Category: History Other
  • Words: 258
  • Page: 2
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Kampar is a town in the state of Perak, Malaysia. Founded in 1887, the town lies within the Kinta Valley, an area rich with tin reserves. The booms and busts of Kampar followed the vicissitudes of the mining industry. Most of them were established in the late 19th century.

The name Kampar was derived from the Cantonese words “kam pou”, which means 'precious gold'. This refers to the town's previously large tin reserves. Another more plausible theory is that Kampar is named after the Kampar River. The river itself got its name from immigrants from the Kampar regency in Riau, Indonesia, who used the river to navigate upstream.

Kampar town can be broadly divided between the 'old town' and 'new town' areas. The old town consists of two main streets of charming pre war shop houses, the fronts of which are still mostly in its original appearance. Commerce in the old town area mainly consists of coffee shops, goldsmiths and local retailers. The new town area mainly consists of new residential developments and some commerce servicing the burgeoning education industry in Kampar.

Kampar town can be broadly divided between the 'old town' and 'new town' areas. The old town consists of two main streets of charming pre war shop houses, the fronts of which are still mostly in its original appearance. Commerce in the old town area mainly consists of coffee shops, goldsmiths and local retailers. The new town area mainly consists of new residential developments and some commerce servicing the burgeoning education industry in Kampar.