Seberang Perai

Seberang Perai, also known as Province Wellesley, is a narrow hinterland on the Malay Peninsula opposite Penang Island, which, together with the island, forms the Malaysian state of Penang. It borders Kedah to the north and east, and Perak to the south. Its principal town is Butterworth, while its local authority, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council, is centred near Bukit Mertajam. As of 2010, Seberang Perai had a population of 815,767, making it the second most populous local government area in Malaysia.Originally a part of Kedah, the hinterland was ceded to the British East India Company towards the end of the 18th century. Named after a British officer, Province Wellesley was acquired to provide more agricultural land and as a defensive bulwark against any cross-strait invasion from the mainland. Since then, it has become part of Penang, which was made a British crown colony in 1867.