Johor State of Malaysia
The word Johor is taken from the Arabic word, 'Jauhar', which literally means 'Precious Stones'. This illustrates the influence of the early Arab traders who traded spices in Johor. To the Siamese, Johor is 'Gangganu' or 'Treasured Stones'. One can trace the multifaceted culture and ethnic mix evident today back through the centuries when it was fought over by the Malays, Portugese, Achinese, Dutch, Bugis and British sometimes on grounds of religion butmore often because of trade .

As one of the main urban states on the peninsular Malaysia, Johor state is an important industrial, logistical and commercial centre. Its major industries include electronics, resource and petrochemical refinary, and ship-building.

Johor is the third largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, is the Southern Gateway to Malaysia and home to the millennia-old Endau-Rompin forest – one of the peninsula’s few remaining lowland forests, and one that is rich in biodiversity.

Johor has offered so much to the foreign travellers from all over the world as long as the domestics visitors with its rich history, colourful culture and traditions from different races, shopping and entertainment attractions with a large number of great places of interest, such as the Sultan Abu Bakar mosque, Johor Art Gallery and Pasir Gudang Racing Circuit.

Johor is a state of multi-faceted culture with an ethnic mix of Malays, Chinese, Indians and others races. The other races in Malaysia are made up of Orang Asli, non-Malay bumiputera, Portugese and other races. This rich mix of colorful cultures and fascinating people and places are evidently reflected in the various places of worship - the magnificent mosques, temples and churches existing side by side. It is also evident in the various foods and local delicacies, the colourful and enchanting costumes, festivals, ceremonies and rituals.

Johor has large tracts of mangrove swamps which is important to the sustanance of the ecosystem. Johor is also covered by large areas of tropical rain forest teeming with wildlife and various flora and fauna.

How to Get to Johor
International visitors can fly via Kuala Lumpur, or Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in East Malaysia, to sultan Ismail International Airport Johor Bahru. The airport also connects Johor Bahru to Bayan Lepas International Airport in Penang.

Johor Bahru is accessible via the North-South Expressway from the north passing through major towns including the capital city Kuala Lumpur.

Visitors from Singapore can also enter Johor Bahru via the causeway and the Second Link from Tuas passing through Gelang Patah.

Visitors from Singapore not only can enter Johor Bahru by road but also can enter Johor by rail via the causeway.

Ferry services are available for visitors from Singapore, disembarking either at Tanjung Belungkor near Desaru, at the Stulang Duty Free Trade Zone Ferry Terminal near the Johor Bahru city centre or Kukup Ferry Terminal.

History of Johor
With the Portuguese capture of Malacca in 1511, the Malay kingdom re-established itself in Johor. It is believed that Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last ruler of Malacca, founded of Johor, he was forced to flee from the Portuguese in 1511.

After the death of Sultan Mahmud Shah, his son Alauddin Riayat Shah moved the capital to Kota Tinggi in Johor. The Sultan was able to build a strong kingdom, was feared by many of his enemies, and was able to make Johor a preeminent Malay state. However, this did not make the end of fights and intrusion from intruders and outsiders. In the 16th Century, the state was again attacked by the Portuguese followed by the Achinese from Sumatra, and later the Bugis from Sulawesi. However, the Malay rulers of Johor managed to hold their empire against all odds. For the next several centuries Johor played an important role in the regional power struggles, has eventually developed to become one of the most populated states in Malaysia.

For the next decades, Johor's modern history started began with Dato' Temenggong Daing Ibrahim, the son of Temenggong Abdul Rahman, who was a descendant of Sultan Abdul Jalil IV of Johor. In 1819, when Sir Stamford Raffles set foot in Singapore, he witnessed the civil war within the court of the Johor Sultan, which was divided by Malay kingdom and Bugis government. He pensioned off the sultans and gave actual power to the "Temenggong" (Malay minister). Hence, Temenggong Abu Bakar was given that privilege to rule Johor.

In 1855, under the terms of a treaty between the British in Singapore and Sultan of Johor, the land of Johor was opened to Chinese settlers from Singapore, and the cultivation of pepper was initiated, bringing Johor its initial economic base. The Temenggong was succeeded by his son, Dato' Temenggong Abu Bakar, who was formally crowned Sultan of Johor in 1886 and he elevated himself to the position of Sultan. He persevered to build up the state and to modernize its administration. Sultan Abu Bakar established Johor Bahru(New Johor) as the capital city and began modernizing it. The Sultan gave Johor its constitution, developed its modern administrative system, and reconstructed the Istana Besar--the official residence of the Sultan. Because of his great contribution in the development of Modern Johor state. He was thus aptly called "The Father of Modern Johor".

In 1941, the peninsula fell under Japanese occupation and finally became part of the Federation of Malaya in 1948. After independence in 1957, Malaysia has evolved into a combination of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Johor is now a prosperous state with an expanding economy, fueled by agriculture, manufacturing, commerce and tourism.

The state continued its glories throughout the 19th and 20th century. Today its economy continues to exhibit strong growth, with healthy industrial development and outstanding trade and business facilities.