Introduction
Chiang Mai is a city built on the roots of a traditional
heritage that dig deep into the soil of time.
It's a city with a beautiful cultural personality
of its own. In addition, it's been blessed with
much majestic beauty in nature. The people themselves
are an unforgettable part of Chiang Mai. Handicrafts
of silk, silver and wood are timeless souvenirs
for visitors from all over the globe. Along with
all this, a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants,
and entertainment all help to make Chiang Mai
one of Thailand's prime tourist attractions..
Location:
Chiang Mai, 761 kms. by rail, approximately 700
kms. by road north of Bangkok, with an area of
20,107.1 sq.lms., is Thailand's second largest
city and capital of the northern region.
ChiangMai is administratively divided into 22
Amphurs districts) : Muang
Chiang
Dao
Doi Saket
Fang
Hod
Mae Chaem
Mae Taeng
Phrao
San Kamphaeng
San Sai
Wiang Haeng
and |
Chom
Thong
Doi Tao
Hang Dong
Mae Ai
Mae Rim
Omkoi
Samoeng
San Pa Tong
Saraphi
Chai Prakan
Mae Wang |
Situated between north latitude 17-21 and east
longitude 98-99, the province of Chiang Mai is
found in the upper area of Thailand's northern
region. Chiang Mai valley is 310 meters (1,027
feet) above sea level. The widest point of the
province measures 136 kms. (85 miles), and the
longest 320 kms. (200 miles). To the north, a
277 kms. (141.82 miles) stretch of mountains divides
Chiang Mai's northern districts of Fang and Mae
Ai from Myanmar's (Burma's) Chiang Tung (Shan)
State. In certain areas, the Kok River also acts
as a border between Chiang Mai and Myanmar. On
the east, Chiang Mai is bodered by the Chaing
Rai, Lampang, and Lamphun provinces. The Mae Tuen
River, Ream Mountain, and Luang Mountain separate
Chiang Mai's South from the province of Tak. Some
portions of Chiang Mai's South also border the
Lamphun province. Tothe west, Chiang Mai is bordered
by Mae Hong Son province.
Topography :
A large part (69.31 %) of Chiang Mai's land is
covered by mountains and forests. These generally
run in a north-south pattern through the province
and give birth to several streams and tributaries
(such as the Mae Jam, Mae Ngud, and Mae Klang)
which in turn feed important rivers and irrigation
canals (such as the Muang and Faay) which provide
the water necessary to Chiang Mai's agriculture.
Chiang Mai's largest and most important river
is the Ping, which originates in the mountains
of Chiang Dao and flows southward for 540 kilometers
(337.5 miles). It is along the banks of this river
that Chiang Mai's flat, fertile valley atea lies.
Chiang Mai is also home to Inthanon Mountain,
which stands 2,575 meters (8,448 feet) above sea
level and is Thailand's highest mountain.
Climate
Cool Season : (late October to end of Februry).
average temperature 21? C and much cooler at night.
The colest months are December and January.
Hot Season : (early March to end of May) Average
temperature 29.9? C. The hottest month is April.
Rainy
Season : (early June to end of October). Average
temperature 25.5? C. The wettest month is September.
Population
With a population of 1,547,085 Chiang Mai is
one of Thailand's largest provinces. Of the
above number, 170,348 are currently living in
Chiang Mai's city area with the rest distributed
throughout Chiang Mai's 21 districts, 2 sub-districts.
80% of the people in Chiang Mai are locals by
birth, and speak a sialext that is a slight
variation of the central Thai language. The
remaining 20% is made up of Thai nationals and
foreigners who have moved to Chiang Mai to work,
study, or retire.
There are many hilltribe
people living in the mountainous districts surrounding
Chiang Mai such as Omkoi, Mae Jam,
Chiang Dao, and Mae Ai. Statistics reported
by the Tribal Research Institute of Chiang Mai
stated that in the year 1992 there were 1,049
hilltribe villages in the Chiang Mai province,
constituting a total of 174,195 people. Of this
amount, 106,116 were from the Karen tribe, 27,392
from the Lahu (Musur) tribe, 17,198 from the
Hmong (Meo) tribe, 10,873 form the Lisu tribe,
8,862 from the Lua tribe, 2,609 from the Akha
tribe, 1,145 from the Mien (yao) tribe, and
485 from the Palong tribe. The hilltribe people
are agricultural; planting fields, raising animals,
and hunting for a living. Since each tribe has
its own culture and language, they blanket the
hills of Chiang Mai with an interesting patchwork
quilt of diverse variety.
The majority (80%) of the Chiang Mai people
earn a living through agriculture and agricultural
related professions. The second largest vocation
is tourism and its directly and indirectly related
jobs. General commerce and industry-mainly in
the form of handicrafts, and of processing agricultural
products-are the two other major professions
in which the Chiang Mai people are involved.
CHIANG MAI ATTRACTIONS
Chiang Mai is often spoken of by tourists and
visitors as being a city with a distinct beauty
and cultural heritage of its own. Along with
its numerous ancient temples and buildings,
Nature added her own handiwork in the majestic
mountains and combine to compose a captivating
symphony which draws both domestic and international
tourists back to see this city of old time,
tine, and time again.
|
