Inner Strait of Malacca

The Strait of Malacca narrows between Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula as it leads southeast toward Singapore. On the peninsula's shore, Melaka grew into a great trading port, drawing ships and merchants from across Asia. Its position on this passage helped make it an important meeting place for goods travelling between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Currents and squalls added to the difficulties of navigation in the confined waters.