Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands, resort area of west-central West Malaysia (Malaya), located in the Main Range, about 80 miles (130 km) south of southernmost Thailand. It comprises a cool highland plateau (elevation 4,750 feet [1,448 metres]), developed by the British in the 1940s as a hill station and named for William Cameron, who explored the area in 1885. Its hotels are mostly European in architecture. Hundreds of floral species rare to the tropics thrive in the mean annual temperature of 64 °F (18 °C), much cooler than in the lowlands. Jungle paths lead to Robinson Falls, scenic hilltops, and aboriginal villages. The resort is approached by road from Tapah, in Perak.

Chinese market gardens are terraced on the hillsides, producing temperate-zone crops (strawberries, cabbages, tomatoes, lettuces) that are sold in the large lowland towns. Large local tea estates export much of their crop. The main residential areas are Ringlet, Tanah Rata (site of an experimental agricultural station), and Brinchang. A hydroelectric project diverts the headwaters of the Telom and Bertam rivers into the Bantang Padang valley. Pop. (2010 est.) 36,600.