The 295 km2 (114 sq mi) island makes up approximately 28% of Penang's total land mass and is home to about 45% of the state's population as of 2020[update].

[1] The entire island falls under the city of George Town, which also administers the surrounding islets.

[2] It was at this cape where the early development of George Town began, eventually reaching down the eastern seaboard.

The hilly centre of the island serves as a crucial water catchment area and is also home to rainforests that have been around for over 130 million years.

The Penang Bridge begins at Gelugor on the island and ends at Perai on the mainland, while the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge links Batu Maung with Batu Kawan on the mainland.