Kangar is the administrative capital of Perlis, the smallest state in Malaysia. The town’s history dates back to at least 1653, when Kota Sena was established as an administrative center for the 14th Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Muhyiddin Mansor Shah. The name "Kangar" has two popular origins in local folklore. It is believed to be derived from a species of hawk known as the Kangkok (Spizaetus limnaetu) that was frequently seen in the area. Alternatively, it is named after the Pohon Kangar (Kangar Tree), a large tree that provided shade at the town's historical inland port where traders and boatmen gathered to conduct business. Historically, Kangar served as a vital land port (pengkalan) where boats from the coast would anchor at the confluence of the Perlis River. While the town has modernized, it remains the smallest state capital in Malaysia, retaining a peaceful, "small-town" atmosphere deeply connected to its agricultural roots.