General Information

Chiang Mai is a city with deep roots and traditions going back centuries. The most striking attributes of Chiang Mai are its natural beauty and unique identity. The people are the wealth of Chiang Mai. It is famous for its silk, silver and wooden handicrafts. Combined with a well-developed tourist infrastructure has helped catapult Chiang Mai into a sought-after international tourist destination.

Topography

Almost three-fourth of Chiang Mai’s terrain is covered with forests and mountains. Many streams originating from these mountains crisscross the province, and feed the rivers and canals of the region. River Ping is the largest river in the province. The well-irrigated land of Chiang Mai has agriculture as the main occupation of its people. Thailand’s highest mountain at 2575m, Inthanon Mountain, is located here.

Climate

Chiang Mai has milder summer than other areas of Thailand. During the summer months of March to May, the average temperature is 30?C, April being the hottest month. In the winter season (November to February), it averages a pleasant 21?C during daytime. Nights are still colder. The rainy season extends from June to October, with September receiving the maximum rainfall. The average temperature will be 25?C.

Population

Chiang Mai is among Thailand’s largest provinces. It has a population of about 1.5 million. Of this, about one-tenth live in cities and the rest are scattered all over Chiang Mai’s 21 districts and 2 sub-districts. The majority of the population belongs to the place by birth and speaks a dialect slightly different from the Thai language. Migrants from other parts of Thailand and expats form the rest of the population.

A host of tribals, each with a different culture and language, inhabit the mountains of Chiang Mai. The total tribal population according to ‘92 statistics stands at 175,000. More than half of this is accounted by Karen tribe. Lahu (Musur), Hmong (Meo), Lisu. Lua, Akha, Mien (Yao) and Palong tribes follow. Agriculture and hunting are their main sources of livelihood.

Across Chiang Mai, agriculture is the main occupation, with tourism being the second. Other vocations include handicraft-making and processing agricultural products.