Chiang Mai Province
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Statistics | |
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| Capital: | Chiang Mai |
| Area: | 20,107.0 km² Ranked 2nd |
| Inhabitants: | 1,649,457 (2005) Ranked 6th |
| Pop. density: | 82.03 inh./km² Ranked 58th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-50 |
| Governor: | Wibun Sa-nguanphong (since October 2007) |
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Chiang Mai (Thai เชียงใหม่ ) is the second-biggest province (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are (from northeast clockwise) Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. In the north it borders Shan State of Myanmar.
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[edit] Geography
The district is covered by many mountains, chiefly stretching in the south-north direction. The river Ping, one of the major tributaries of the Chao Phraya River, originates in the Chiang Dao mountains. The highest mountain of Thailand, the 2,565 meter high Doi Inthanon, is located in the district. Several national parks are in the district: Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui, Mae Ping, Sri Lanna, Huay Nam Dang, Mae Phang, Chiang Dao.
[edit] History
The city of Chiang Mai was capital of the kingdom Lanna after its founding in 1296. In 1599 the kingdom lost its independence and became part of the Ayutthaya kingdom. 1932 the province Chiang Mai became the second level subdivision of Thailand when the administrative unit of Monthon Phayap, the remains of the Lanna kingdom, was dissolved.
[edit] Demographics
13.4% of the population on the province are members of the hill tribes, among them the Hmong, Yao, Lahu, Lisu, Akha and Karen.
[edit] Symbols
| Image:Seal Chiang Mai.png | The seal of the province shows a white elephant in a glass pavilion. The white elephant is a royal symbol in Thailand, and it is depicted to remember the offering of a white elephant by King Rama II to the ruler of Chiang Mai. The pavilion symbolizes that Buddhism prospered in Chiang Mai, especially when in 1477 the teachings of Buddha, the Tripitaka, were reviewed.
The provincial flower and tree is the Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma). |
[edit] Administrative divisions
Chiang Mai is subdivided into 24 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 204 subdistricts (tambon) and 1915 villages (muban).
[edit] Gallery
 View of Chiang Mai from Doi Suthep |
 Bathing Elephants |
 Central Airport Plaza |
 Lahu farmers in the mountains of Amphoe Omkoi |
 A shop in Night Bazaar |
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Airports
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is one of the five international airports under the responsibility of the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT). As Chiang Mai International Airport is the major gateway to the scenic beauty and rich culture of northern Thailand, it plays an important role in promoting travel and tourism throughout the northern region. Today, 14 airlines service the airport and more than 2,000,000 passengers, 15,000 flights and 16,000 tons of cargo are handled at this airport.
[edit] External links
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Website of the province
- Chiang Mai provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
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