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Pahang is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia. There are many variations on the origin of how Pahang derived its name. The Chinese authors named it as Pang-heng, Peng-heng, Pang-hang, Pong-fon or Phe-hang. The Arabs and Europeans named it as Paam, Paon, Paham, Pakan, Phaung or Pahang . Pahang is also the Khmer word for tin as there were many tin mines around the Tembeling River at that time. In the old Malay writings, Pahang was known as Inderapura or the City of Indra. Besides that, Pahang was also given the title of Zamin Eran as stated in Syair Jjuragan Budiman.

According to the story, there grew at the confluence of the Jelai and Tembeling Rivers a huge tree whose top-most branchers grew well above all the other trees. The tree, known as Mahang, was so big that the people of the neighbourhood offered prayers and made sacrifices to it. When the Malays came, they in turn, regarded the tree as being sacred. The Malays called the place ‘Mahang’ which gradually was changed to ‘Pahang’. The tree trunk looked like the paha or thigh of a huge giant. With the advent of Moslem preachers from Melaka, the tree was destroyed.

Pahang now consist of ten districts namely Bentong, Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Kuantan, Lipis, Mara, Pekan, Raub, Rompin and Temerloh. The capital town is Kuantan whereas the royal town is situated at Pekan.

Districts

	Bentong
	Bera
	Cameron Highlands
	Jerantut
	Kuantan
	Lipis
	Maran
	Pekan
	Raub
	Rompin
	Temerloh

Main Towns

	Bukit Fraser
	Kuala Lipis
	Tanah Rata