Situated in
Southeast Asia, Thailand is predominantly a Buddhist kingdom almost
equidistant from India and China. Known by outsiders as Siam for
centuries, Thailand (the land of smiles), has been something of a
Southeast Asian migratory, cultural, and religious crossroads.
Approximately the size of France, Thailand covers and area of
510,000 sq. km and has a population of 60 million growing at a rate
of 1.5% each year. Thailand shares its border with Myanmar in the
west and north, Laos in the northeast, Cambodia in the east and
Malaysia in the south.
Administratively, the country is divided into 7 regions: The North,
Northeast, Central Plains, East, West, and the Bangkok Metropolitan
Region. Each of which has its own distinctive geographical
character.
The central region, encompassing the Bangkok metropolitan region and
the central plains, is affectionately known as "Thailand's Rice
Bowl". One of the world's most fertile rice and fruit growing areas,
this is the economic and cultural heartland of the Thai nation.
The mountainous north is Thailand's largest region. Here, elephants
work the forest and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to
permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and
peaches.
The second largest and poorest region is the sprawling northeast.
Better known as "Isan" or the "Khorat Plateau", it is largely
bordered by the Mekong River, where the world's oldest Bronze Age
civilization flourished some 5,000 years ago.
Just south of the northeast lies the eastern region. Sandwiched
between the sea and the Damrek range, this is where pristine beaches
support the growth of summer resorts such as Pattaya.
Despite recent development efforts undertaken by the government in
the west, its beautiful mountains, which rise up towards the Burmese
border and its lush valleys remain relatively unspoiled. The towns
here have a frontier atmosphere.
Last but not least, the peninsular south. Here, arresting scenic
beauty complements the economically vital activities of tin mining,
rubber cultivation, and fishing. |
Thailand
