Kuala Lumpur; founded in 1857; sits at the confluence of the Gombak and Kelang Rivers. The name means 'muddy river mouth' in Malay.

The settlement started when Raja Abdullah; a member of the royal family of Selangor; opened the Klang valley to Chinese prospectors. A tin mine was established; encouraging traders to move in. As the settlement grew in importance; the British rulers of Malaya appointed a headman; called 鈥楰apitan Cina'; to administer the settlement and ensure law and order; at this time Kuala Lumpur was very much a rough frontier town and gang warfare was common.

The growing town was made capital of Selangor in 1880; and when the Federated Malay States were established in 1896; Kuala Lumpur became capital.

During the Second World War Japanese forces occupied the city between 1942 and 1945.

After independence in 1957; Kuala Lumpur was made the capital of the Federation of Malaya; then of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. In 1974 Kuala Lumpur was detached from Selangor and made a Federal Territory. Pictures From History