Thailand shares borders with Malaysia,
Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Cambodia.
The country's east coast borders the
Gulf of Thailand and the west coast
abuts the Andaman Sea.
The country is divided into four main zones:
the fertile, central plains of the Chao Phraya
River; the poorer region of the 300m high
north-east plateau; the fertile valley and
mountains of Northern Thailand; and the
rainforested southern peninsula.
The highest peak is the 2596 m. Doi Inthanon
in Chiang Mai province.
A quarter of Thailand is covered by monsoon
forest or rainforest, and the country has an
incredible array of fruit trees, bamboo and
tropical hardwoods.
There are more than 850 resident and
migratory species of birds and dwindling
numbers of tigers, leopards, elephants
and Asiatic black bears.
There are 66 national parks and 32 wildlife
sanctuaries, covering 11% of the country. |
Full
country name:
Kingdom of Thailand
Area:
517,000 sq km
Population:
57.5 million (growth rate 1.4%)
Capital city:
Bangkok (pop 6 million)
People:
Thai (75%), Chinese (11%),
Malay (3.5%), also Morn,
Khmer, Phuan and Karen
minorities
Language:
Thai
Religion:
Buddhism (95%),
Muslim (4%)
Government:
Democratic constitutional
monarchy
Prime Minister:
Chuan Leekpai
Head of state:
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
(Rama IX) |
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