Thailand, perhaps, is one of the most advanced countries in terms of tourism. Well, who did not hear about the famous Thai massage or boxing? Where is Thailand on the world map? Read on the geographical location and features of this country later in the article.
Thailand, Southeast Asia: A General Description
The state traces its history back to 1238. Then, in the territory where Thailand is located, the Kingdom of Sukhothai was located. The modern name is derived from the word "thai", which translates as "freedom." The name is fully consistent with the country, because Thailand has never been a European colony. Where the state is located has partly influenced this fact. England and France, subjugating many Asian lands, wanted to leave Thailand as a neutral territory.
And now the state remains independent, successfully developing agriculture and tourism. The capital and largest city of Thailand is Bangkok. In terms of population, the country takes the 20th place in the world - approximately 70 million inhabitants. The main language is Thai, it is also well understood by the people of Laos.
The head of state is the king. His role is crucial. The King of Thailand is considered the ruler, and in addition, the patron saint of the country's religion and national symbol. The state religion is Buddhism. He is professed by 94%. The rest of the population adheres to Islam, most of them are Malays.
Thailand on a world map
The country occupies the northern section of the Malacca Peninsula and the southwestern part of Indochina. Thailand is located almost in the center of Southeast Asia. Which countries does Thailand border? In the east it is surrounded by Laos and Cambodia, Myanmar in the west, Malaysia is its southern neighbor. The state border is mainly divided by natural objects. In the southeast of the country , a mountain range defines the border; in the northeast, the edge of the country adjoins the Mekong River.
The outlines of Thailand resemble the head of an elephant. The elongated part of the territory (the alleged trunk), bordering Malaysia, is washed by the seas on two sides - in the west of Andaman and in the east of South China. The southern and eastern shores of the country are also washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The length of Thailand from north to south reaches 1,650 kilometers, from west to east - about 780 kilometers.
The country includes a large number of islands, they are located near the Malacca Peninsula. The largest is Phuket. Thailand is well provided with water resources. Many full-flowing rivers flow through the country, the largest - Chauphray. Lakes in the country, on the contrary, are few, but there are several reservoirs. Thailand's largest lake is called Thaleluang.
Climate
The place where Thailand is located and its considerable extent are the main factors in the formation of climate in the country. Due to these reasons, climatic conditions are different in different parts of Thailand. This allows you to repeatedly harvest crops throughout the year, because at the end of the favorable season at one end of the country, it starts at the other. The same applies to tourism, so Thailand can be visited year-round.
Geographically and climatically, the country is distinguished by five regions: North, North-East, Central, South and East. In the center and in the south, the climate is subequatorial, near Malaysia - equatorial, and in the north - tropical humid. Thailand has a rainy season. In total, it rains in the country for about 6-8 months. In some areas, they begin in May, in the central and eastern parts - in August.
The temperature drops decrease as you approach the equator. In December, the temperature is from +20 to +27 degrees. At night, the temperature drops, in the mountains it can reach zero. The highest temperature is observed from April to May, then it can reach +40 degrees.
Tourism in Thailand
A rare traveler does not know where Thailand is, because millions of tourists come here every year. During the day, hundreds of beaches are available for swimming, and in the evening, noisy entertainment and discos await guests. The northern part of Thailand is rich in historical monuments and religious architecture. There are ancient temples and ruins. In this area of the country is one of the oldest Thai capitals - the city of Chaengmai.
In the central part is the largest metropolis - Bangkok. In this region, tourists get acquainted with urbanized Asia, visit national parks and nightingale farms. The southern part of the country offers lazy holidays on the coast. There are many picturesque islands, and some of them even lit up in the cinema.