Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, known as Nophaburi Sri Nakhon Ping or Viang Ping Chiang Mai (Rose of the North) in ancient chronicles, was founded as the capital of the Lan Na Thai (Kingdom of a Million Ricefields) by King Mengrai in 1296 A.D. The city you see today, which celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996, has evolved over many centuries. It is now the second most important city in the country after Bangkok and the main city in the northern region. It is a city of ancient arts and crafts continuing the proud tradition of Lan Na Thai.

Provincial Slogan
Doi Suthep, the well-known mountain top's in the land, Marvelous, attraction customs make the city so grand, Beautiful flowers grow through all the year. Nakhonphing, another name of this marvellous city we'll often hear.

General Feature

Location & Size
Chiang Mai is located in the north of Thailand, about 720 kilometers from Bangkok at an elevation of 1,027 feet (310 meters) above sea level. To the North it borders Myanmar's Shan State while to the South it connects with Sam Ngao district of Tak province. Chiang Rai, Lamphun and Lampang lie to the East, and the West touches Pai, Khun Yuam and Mae Sareang districts of Mae Hong Sorn province.

Chiang Mai's geography comprises mainly groves and mountains with a broad plain in the middle of the region on both sides of Ping River. The province covers an area of 20,107.057 square kilometers (12,566,910 rai), made up of 8,787,656 rai (69.92%) of forest, 1,611,283 rai (12.82%) of agricultural land and 2,167,971 rai (17.25%) of residential and other land.

Administration
The province is administratively divided into 9 Amphurs (districts), 84 Tambons, 834 villages, 2 Muang municipalities, 11 Tambon municipalities, and 77 tambon administration authorities. The districts include Amphur Muang, Amphur Sawankhalok, Amphur Sri Samrong, Amphur Sri Sachanalai, Amphur Kong Krailas, Amphur Kirimas, Amphur Tung Saliam, Amphur Dan Lan Hoi and Amphur Sri Nakhon.

Population
Chiang Mai Province has a population of some 1,600,000 of whom 172,000 live in Chiang Mai city. 80% of the people are locals by birth and speak kam muang, which is a language close to Siamese but which has its own distinctive script. The other 20% is made up of southern Thais, Chinese, Indians and an increasing number of farang (foreigners).

Boundary

North: borders Myanmar's Shan State
East : Chiang Mai is bordered by Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun provinces.
West: Chiang Mai is bordered by Mae Hong Son province.
South: The Mae Tuen River, Ream Mountains and Luang Mountains separate Chiang Mai's south from the province of Tak. Some stretches of Chiang Mai's south also border Lamphun province.

Topography
A large part (>82%) of Chiang Mai's land is covered by mountains and forests. The mountain ranges generally run in a north-south alignment through the province and give birth to several streams and tributaries (such as the Mae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang) which in turn feed important rivers and irrigation canals (such as the Muand 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 north of Chiang Dao and flows southwards for 540 kilometres (337.5 miles). It is along the banks of this river that Chiang Mai's flat valley area lies.

Chiang Mai is also home to Thailand's highest mountain, Inthanon Mountain, which stands 2,565 metres (8,498 feet) above sea level.

Climate
The weather in Chiang Mai is relatively cool all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. Temperatures typically range between 20°C and 31°C. The relative humidity averages 72%, and annual rainfall is no rmally 1,000-1,200 mm.