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Geography
& Climate
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Geography
 Chiang
Mai province is the hub of the North. It is Thailand's principal
northern province situated between north latitude 17-21°
and east longitude 98-99° in the upper area of Thailand's
northern region. It is located 761 km by rail (about 700 km
by road) north of the nation's capital Bangkok. It covers
an area of approximately 20,000 sq km making it the nations
second largest province.
Chiang
Mai city itself is now Thailand's second largest city and
is considered to be the capital of the whole northern region.
Similar to other Thai provinces, Chiang Mai is administratively
divided into Amphoes or districts, 22 in total as follows;
Muang, Chiang Dao, Chom Thong, Doi Saket, Doi Tao, Fang, Hang
Dong, Hod, Mae Ai, Mae Chaem, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Omkoi, Phrao,
Samoeng, San Kamphaeng, San Pa Tong, San Sai, Saraphi, Wiang
Haeng, Chai Prakan and Mae Wang.
The
Chiang Mai valley is 310 m above sea level. The widest point
of the province measures 136 km and the longest point 320
km. To the north, a 277 km stretch of mountains divides Chiang
Mai's northern districts of Fang and Mae Ai from Myanmar's
(Burma's) Chiang Tung (Shan) State.
 The
Mae Kok River, in certain areas, also acts as a natural border
between Chiang Mai and Myanmar. To the east, Chiang Mai is
bordered by Chiang 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 borders Lamphun province. Chiang
Mai is bordered by Mae Hong Son province to the west.
Chiang
Mai is a region of forested hills and lush fertile valleys.
It is an enchanting contrast to Bangkok and the central plains,
as mountains and forests cover much of the land area in Chiang
Mai. 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. These tributaries
in turn feed important rivers and irrigation canals, such
as the Muang and Faay, which provide the water necessary for
Chiang Mai's agriculture.
In
1995, the total land area of Chiang Mai province was classified
as follows:
Forest
land - 70.8%
Farm land - 10.6%
Unclassified land - 18.6%
The
largest and most important river in Chiang Mai is the Ping
River. It originates in the mountains of Chiang Dao and flows
southward for over 540 km. The flat fertile valley area of
Chiang Mai lies along the banks of this river.
Chiang
Mai is also home to numerous National Parks, including the
famous Inthanon Mountain, which stands 2,575 m above sea level
making it Thailand's highest mountain.
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