spelling: Johore, Jawi script:جوهر) is a state of Malaysia between 1°20"N and 2°35"N. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The capital city and royal seat of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly Tanjung Puteri. The old state capital is Johor Lama. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Ta'zim ("Abode of Dignity'). It is surrounded by Pahang to the north, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the northwest, and the Straits of Johor to the south which is divided by the international border between Malaysia and the Republic of Singapore. Tanjung Piai, in the district of Pontian, is the most southerly point of mainland Asia.
Johoreans often use the word JB to refer to the city of Johor Bahru.
history
The name "Johor" originated from the Arabic word Jauhar, 'gem/precious stone' . Before the name Johor was adopted, the area south of the Muar River to Singapore island was known as Ujung Tanah or 'land's end' in Malay, due to its location at the end of the Malay Peninsula. Coincidentally, Johor is the most southerly point of the Asian continental mainland.
Modern Johor history began in the early 16th century with the foundation of the Sultanate of Johor by the son of Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last Sultan of Malacca, who fled from the invading Portuguese in Malacca. Johor sultanate is one of the two successor states of the Melaka empire. Upon Malacca's defeat to the Portuguese in 1511, the son of the last Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mahmud Shah, had established a monarchy in Johor and had posed a constant threat to the Portuguese. The Sultanate of Perak was the other successor state of Malacca and was established by the son of Sultan Mahmud Shah, Sultan Muzaffar Shah. Johor is the only state, apart from Melaka, that has grown into an empire. During its peak, the whole of Pahang and the present day Indonesian territories of Riau archipelago and part of Sumatra Island was under Johor's rule.
The sultanate grew in economic and political importance due to its position as an East-West trading hub and eventually evolved into the Johor Empire, covering Johor, the Riau Archipelago and parts of eastern Sumatra. However, the Johor Empire failed to reconquer Malacca; in turn Johor harassed and attacked the Portuguese during the 130-year Portuguese rule in Malacca and was a constant thorn to Portuguese dominance in the Straits of Malacca.
Districts
The state of Johor is divided into the districts of
* Johor Bahru 1817.8 km², population 1,370,738 (2005)
1. Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru (Abbreviation as MBJB or City Hall of Johor Bahru. It covers an area of Daerah Sentral JB, Tampoi, Pelangi, Pasir Pelangi, Rinting, Tasek Utara, Pandan, Permas Jaya, Kangkar Tebrau, Kempas, Larkin, Majidee, Mount Austin, Kawasan Tebrau) (website: http://www.mbjb.gov.my)
2. Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru Tengah (MPJBT It covers an area of Masai, Plentong, Ulu Tiram, Gelang Patah, Skudai, Pulai, Nusajaya, Ulu Choh, Lima Kedai (http://www.johordt.gov.my/mpjbt/bm/utama/kaw_pentd.htm)
3. Majlis Perbandaran Kulai (Majlis Perbandaran Kulai) (Covers an area of Senai, Kulai Town, Sedenak, Ayer Bemban)
4. Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Pasir Gudang (PBTPG covers an area of Pasir Gudang Industrial Estate, Kota Masai, Pasir Putih, Air Biru, Tanjung Langsat, Scientex, Nusa Damai, Kong Kong, Sg. Tiram)(http://www.pbtpasirgudang.gov.my/)
* Pontian 919.5 km², population: 160,722 (2005)
1. Majlis Daerah Pontian
* Kota Tinggi 3488.7 km², population: 212,558 (2005)
1. Majlis Daerah Kota Tinggi
* Kluang 2851.8 km², population: 295,373 (2005)
1. Majlis Perbandaran Kluang (Majlis Daerah Kluang Utara)
2. Majlis Daerah Simpang Renggam (Majlis Daerah Kluang Selatan)
* Segamat 2851.26 km², population: 198,142 (2005)
1. Majlis Daerah Segamat (Majlis Daerah Segamat Utara)
2. Majlis Daerah Labis (Majlis Daerah Segamat Selatan)
* Muar 2346.12 km², population: 373,587 (2005)
1. Majlis Perbandaran Muar (Majlis Daerah Muar Selatan)
2. Majlis Daerah Tangkak (Majlis Daerah Tangkak)
* Batu Pahat 1878 km², population: 382,175 (2005)
1. Majlis Perbandaran Batu Pahat (Majlis Daerah Batu Pahat Barat)
2. Majlis Daerah Yong Peng (Majlis Daerah Batu Pahat Timur)
* Mersing 2838.6 km², population: 73,920 (2005)
1. Majlis Daerah Mersing
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