One popular theory on the origin of the name is that it is derived from the Mon–Khmer word Klong,[5] which may mean a canal or waterway.

[9][10][11] Also found in or near Klang are iron tools called "tulang mawas" ("ape bones") and a bronze drum.

[12] Klang however remained in Malay hands after the fall of Melaka to the Portuguese in 1511, and was controlled by the Sultan of Johor-Riau.

[18] During the Klang War, in 1868, the seat of power was moved to Bandar Temasya, Kuala Langat,[15] and then to Jugra which became the royal capital of Selangor.

In 1874, Selangor accepted a British Resident who would "advise" the Sultan, and Klang became the capital of British colonial administration for Selangor from 1875 until 1880 when the capital city was moved to Kuala Lumpur due to the growth of Kuala Lumpur from tin-mining.

[20][21] Today Klang is no longer State capital or the main seat of the ruler, but it remains the headquarters of the District to which it gives it name.

[23] From 1974 to 1977, Klang was the state capital city of Selangor before the seat of government shifted to Shah Alam in 1977.

[citation needed] Most major government and private health care facilities are also located at Klang South.

Newer townships include Bandar Bukit Raja, Aman Perdana and Klang Sentral.

[citation needed] Therefore, the town of Klang which is located at three miles nearer to the river mouth than Bukti Kuda, was chosen to become the major port.

Sir Malcom Watson, a district surgeon in Klang solved the malaria problem in 1903 by clearing the forests and undergrowth and construct a drainage system at the same time.

The first person who set up a factory in Klang was a millionaire from Singapore named Tan Kah Kee.

[33] The port is part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road that runs from the Chinese coast to Singapore, towards the southern tip of India to Mombasa, from there through the Red Sea via the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean, there to the Upper Adriatic region to the northern Italian hub of Trieste with its connections to Central Europe and the North Sea.

[47][48] It is thought that the Indians originally worked for Chinese gang leaders but they now dominate many of these criminal organisations.

The West Coast Expressway (WCE) currently under construction, will run between Changkat Jering, Perak and Klang-Banting, Selangor.

There is a non-stop hourly bus service every day from and to KLIA2 to Klang, and the embarkation point is located at the AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre.

Klang is known for its Bak Kut Teh (Chinese: 肉骨茶; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Bah-kut-tê), a non-halal herbal soup that uses pork ribs and tenderloins.

Located in Taman Eng Ann is a large food court serving many daytime snacks ranging from the well-known Chee Cheong Fun, Yong Tau Foo, Popia (Chinese springrolls), the medicinal herb Lin Zhi Kang drink, to Rojak and Cendol.

[66] Other stalls found also serving Chee Cheong Fun in Klang are located around the Meru Berjaya area.

The Yong Tau Foo, a Malaysian Hakka Chinese delicacy, is a common meal for lunch and dinner as well.

[citation needed] The coastal regions and islands near Port Klang are also known for their seafood, such as Pulau Ketam, Bagan Hailam,[67] Teluk Gong,[68] Pandamaran and Tanjung Harapan.

The objectives are to restore ecological balance, to improve water quality to avoid flood mitigation as well as to preserve the environment for a better transformation of Klang River.

The primary purpose of rehabilitation of Telok Kapas with 98 acres of land in Pasir Panjang, Klang which had been officially stopped in operation in 2007 is to improve water quality as well as restoring the site with a proper safe closure.

The plans set the development of six (6) zones in Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) through consolidation of Urban Design, Landscape, Transportation, Environmental and Economic Consideration of the existing condition and cultural context.