Ayer Itam

Air Itam
Suburb of George Town
Other transcription(s)
• Chinese	亚依淡
• Hokkien	a-i tām
Air Itam as seen from the Kek Lok Si Temple
Air Itam
Coordinates: 5°24′22″N 100°17′47″E / 5.40611°N 100.29639°E / 5.40611; 100.29639
Country	Malaysia
State	Penang
District	Northeast Penang Island
City	George Town
Government
• Local government	Penang Island City Council
• Mayor of Penang Island	Patahiyah Ismail
• Air Itam State Assemblyman	Wong Hon Wai (DAP)
• Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament	Ramkarpal Singh (DAP)
Time zone	MST (UTC+8)
• Summer (DST)	Not observed (UTC)
Postal code	11500
Website	mbpp.gov.my

Air Itam (also spelt as Ayer Itam) is a suburb of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Nested within the central valleys of Penang Island, it is located approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of George Town proper. Air Itam is one of the well-known places to sample Penang cuisine, and includes a handful of major tourist attractions such as Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple.

The area now known as Air Itam was first developed in the late 18th century, soon after the founding of Penang Island by Captain Francis Light in 1786. British officials intended to turn Air Itam, including Penang Hill, into an agricultural area and established spice farms. To this day, fruits and vegetables are still grown at the hills of Air Itam; fresh produce are then brought downhill daily to the wet markets throughout George Town.

Air Itam got its name from the murky waters of the Air Itam River (Malay: Sungai Air Itam). The phrase 'Air Hitam' means black water in Malay.

Soon after the founding of Penang Island in 1786, British East India Company officials, led by Captain Francis Light, began exploring and clearing the interior of the island for agricultural purposes. Pepper and nutmeg farms were then established at the hills of Air Itam, while Light also commissioned the planting of strawberries at Penang Hill. The Anglo-Indian Suffolk House, one of Light's residences, was also built within a pepper estate by the Air Itam River.