Thanks, Wikipedia.
Johor Baru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia.
It is the southernmost city in Malaysia.
It is the third largest city in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.
It is located between the Skudai River on the west and Tebrau River on the east. To its south is the Johor Straits.
Tampoi Road forms its northern border with the district and town of Skudai.
In recent years Skudai has upstaged Johor Baru to become Johor's main economic hub and administrative centre.
Johor Baru was originally known as Tanjung Puteri (Princess Cape) or Tanjung Iskandar (Iskandar's Cape), Iskandar being a famous Sultan of Johor.
Johor Baru received its current name on January 1, 1866.
On January 1, 1994 it became a city, Malaysia's fifth after Georgetown, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Kuching.
Malays form 44pc of Johor Baru's residents, followed by Chinese (42pc) and Indians (14pc).
The Chinese of Johor Baru are mainly Hokkiens (including Swatow [Teochew], Hainan and Foochow [Hokchew]). There is a small number of Cantonese and Hakkas.
The Indians of Johor Baru are mainly Tamils. The rest are Punjabis, Malayalees and Telugus.
Johor Baru is one of Malaysia's most bustling cities thanks to its proximity to Singapore. Many Singaporeans have invested in Johor Baru, and Johor, for years. Johor Baru and Singapore are linked by the Causeway.
Tampoi and Larkin are Johor Baru's main industrial areas. In recent years, Johor Baru's former satellite town of Skudai has become the state's major economic hub.
Another former satellite town, Pasir Gudang, has also become a major economic hub and industrial area.
Both Skudai and Pasir Gudang are Johor's main ports. The port in Skudai is Tanjung Pelepas. Skudai also houses the Second Link to Singapore and Johor's new administrative centre Kota Iskandar (Nusajaya).
Skudai also houses the Malaysian University of Technology (UTM).
The Sultan Ismail Airport is located in the neighbouring town of Kulai.
Best 104, the country's first private radio station is based in Johor Baru.
Johor Baru's main shopping centre is City Square near the Johor Baru Railway Station.
Johor Baru's sister cities are Istanbul in Turkey, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Shenzhen in China, and Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Famous personalities from Johor Baru include present and former Cabinet Ministers Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Shahrir Samad, Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, the late Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman and the late Datuk Ali Ahmad, entertainers Suhaimi Abdul Rahman (Amy of Search), Datuk Abdul Rahman Hassan, Datuk Sharifah Aini, Julie Dahlan, Aziz M Osman, Dina Nadzir, Nabila Huda Suhaimi, Intan Sarafina Yahya, Khairul Nizam Wahi, Hairina Halim, Khairul Nizam (Toi) Baharom, Maulana Mohamad, Diddy Muhid, Lufya Omar, Betty Banafe, Linda Onn, Fahrin Ahmad, Zamarul Hisham, Diana Rafar, Linda Rafar, Ain Rahmat and Ekin Rahmat.
