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Chiang Mai Province facts for kids

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Chiang Mai
เชียงใหม่
Official seal of Chiang Mai
Seal
   Chiang Mai in    Thailand
   Chiang Mai in    Thailand
Capital Chiang Mai
Area
 • Province 20,107 km2 (7,763 sq mi)
Population
 (2014)
 • Province 1,678,284
 • Density 83.4676/km2 (216.180/sq mi)
 • Urban
960,906
Human Development Index
 • HDI (2010) 0.792 (high) (rank?)
Postal code
50xxx
Calling code 053
Vehicle registration เชียงใหม่
Accession into Siam (Thailand) 1910
Website http://www.chiangmai.go.th

Chiang Mai (Thai: เชียงใหม่) is the second-largest province in Thailand. It is located in the northern part of the country. Chiang Mai borders Chiang Rai to the northeast and Burma to the north. It also shares borders with Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. The capital city, also called Chiang Mai, is about 685 kilometers (426 miles) north of Bangkok.

Exploring Chiang Mai's Nature

Chiang Mai Province is quite far from Bangkok, about 685 kilometers away. It is home to Doi Inthanon, which is Thailand's highest mountain. This mountain stands tall at 2,565 meters (8,415 feet).

Many other beautiful national parks are also found here. These include Doi Suthep-Pui, Ob Luang, and Sri Lanna. You can also find Huai Nam Dang, Mae Wang, and Pha Daeng in the province.

Chiang Mai's Past

Pratat DoiSuthep
Pratat Doi Suthep, a famous temple in Chiang Mai

The city of Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. It was founded in the year 1296.

Later, in 1599, the Lanna Kingdom became part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. This meant it was no longer an independent kingdom.

In 1932, Chiang Mai Province became a major part of Thailand. This happened when the old administrative area, called Monthon Phayap, which was the last part of the Lanna Kingdom, was officially ended.

People and Cultures

ThaiGirls
Girls from a hill tribe

About 13.4% of the people living in Chiang Mai Province are members of hill tribes. These groups have their own unique cultures and traditions.

Some of the hill tribes you might find here include the Hmong, Yao, and Lahu. Other tribes are the Lisu, Akha, and Karen.


Weather in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has a warm climate all year round. It experiences a "tropical wet and dry climate." This means it has a rainy season and a dry season.

Even though it's warm, nights during the dry season can be much cooler than the daytime. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 42.4 degrees Celsius (108.3 degrees Fahrenheit) in May 2005.

Getting Around Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Train Station
Chiang Mai Train Station
RTN Embraer ERJ 135LR beneath Wat Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai International Airport with Doi Suthep temple in the background

There are many ways to travel in and around Chiang Mai:

  • Car: Chiang Mai is connected by Highway 11, also known as Super Highway Road.
  • Train: The city is the final stop for the northern railway line.
  • Songthaew: These are red pickup trucks with two rows of seats in the back. They act like shared taxis.
  • Samlor: These are traditional rickshaws, often found in the city center for short rides.
  • Tuk-tuks: These are small, three-wheeled auto rickshaws. They are good for quick trips.
  • Buses: You can take buses to Chiang Mai from Bangkok and many other cities.
  • Bicycle and Motorbike: You can rent bikes and motorbikes in Chiang Mai city to explore on your own.
  • Air: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is one of Thailand's international airports.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Provincia de Chiang Mai para niños

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