Chiang Mai Facts and Figures

Location

Chiang Mai valley averages 310 metres (1,027 feet) above sea level, and it's land covers 20,107 square kilometres (12,566,910 rai). The widest point of the province measures 136 kilometres (85 miles), and the longest 320 kilometres (200 miles).

To the north, a 227 kilometer (141.88 miles) stretch of mountains divides Chiang Mai's northern districts of Fang and Mae Ai from the region around Kengtung in the Shan State of Myanmar (Burma). On the east, Chiang Mai is bordered by Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun provinces. 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. To the west, Chiang Mai is bordered by Mae Hong Son 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 Inthanon Mountain, which stands 2,565 metres (8,498 feet) above sea level and is Thailand's highest mountain.

Weather

In relation to the rest of Thailand, Chiang Mai is considered to be quite cool. The average yearly temperature is 25.4°C, with the highest temperatures being in the low 40s and the lowest 5-10°C. There are three seasons in Northern Thailand: summer (hot and humid), rainy (wet, monsoon) and winter (cool and dry).

People and Culture

With a population of 1,571,962 Chiang Mai is one of Thailand's largest provinces. Of the above number, 171,595 are currently living in Chiang Mai's city area with the rest distributed throughout Chiang Mai's 22 districts and 2 sub-districts. 80% of the people in Chiang Mai are locals by birth, and speak a dialect 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.

The term khon muang refers to all the people living in the Lanna region or Upper Northern Thailand including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae, Nana, Phayao and Mae Hong Son. It includes all the people known as Tai Yai, but it excludes the tribal minorities.

Originally, the people of Lanna worshiped spirits, including ancestral spirits, household spirits, water spirits, forest spirits and city spirits. When Buddhism began to flourish in Lanna, new customs based on a mixture of Buddhist faith and traditional beliefs evolved. Merit making ceremonies were established in traditional festivals that reflected ancient beliefs, such as the Songkran (Thai New Year) festival and the Saikhan Dok festival to honour the Inthakin Pillar. While being devout Buddhists, the people of Lanna also practise ancestral worship. Rituals to pay respect to the spirits are still held to this day. Buddhist altars in homes stand alongside altars for ancestral spirits, which must be worshiped at least twice a year -- during Songkran and at the end of the rains retreat.

There are many tribal peoples living in the mountainous districts surrounding Chiang Mai such as Omkoi, Mae Chaem, Chiang Dao, and Mae Ai. Reported statistics stated that in the year 1999 there were 1,013 hilltribe villages in Chiang Mai province. There are eight main tribal groups found in Chiang Mai: Karen, Lahu, Hmong, Lisu, Lua, Akha, Mien and Palong. These peoples are agricultural -- planting in fields, raising animals and hunting for a living. Each tribe has its own language, customs and culture.

The majority of Chiang Mai people earn a living through agriculture and related professions. The second largest vocation is tourism and its directly and indirectly related jobs. General commerce and industry -- mainly in the form of handicraft production and the processing of agricultural products -- are the two other major professions in which the Chiang Mai people are involved.

Religion

For centuries past, Chiang Mai has been the centre of religious activity in Northern Thailand. During the Lanna era, Buddhism was the main religion that flourished and grew. Evidence of this is seen in the many ancient temples in Chiang Mai.

Currently, 85% of the people in Chiang Mai are Buddhist. There are 1,253 temples in the province. Important religious functions and ceremonies are held at the Chiang Mai Buddhist Association, which also serves as an office for the Buddhist Youth Club. This club holds religious discussions and sermons on wan phra (Buddhist holidays).

Other religions are also present. Protestantism, Catholicism, Islam and Hinduism are all represented, with 92 Protestant churches, 53 Catholic churches, 14 mosques and 1 Hindu temple.