Chiang Mai is often referred to as the “Rose of the North”. Everyone who has visited Chiang Mai admits that it is certainly a land of beauty that was built on the roots of a traditional heritage that dig deep into the soil of time, and with a distinct cultural personality of its own.           Situated in the upper area of Thailand’s northern region. Chiang Mai is about 750 km from Bangkok. A large part of  the land  is covered by mountains and forests that give birth to several streams and tributaries which in turn feed important rivers and irrigation canals necessary to Chiang Mai’s agriculture. It is along the banks of Chiang Mai’s most important river that its flat, fertile valley area lies. Chiang Mai is also home to Inthanon Mountain which is Thailand’s highest mountain at 2,565 meters above sea level.           In relation to the rest of Thailand, Chiang Mai is considered to be quite cool. The average yearly temperature is 25.4oC, with the highest at 40.1oC and the lowest at 8.7oC. With a population of a little less than 2 million distributed throughout the city area and 22 districts and 2 sub-districts, Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s largest provinces. More than 80% of the people are locals by birth, and speak a dialect that is a slight variation of the central Thai language. The remaining population is made up of Thai nationals and foreigners who have moved to Chiang Mai to work, study or retire. There are many hill tribe people living in the mountainous districts surrounding Chiang Mai.           Majority of the people earn a living through agriculture and other agriculture-related professions. The second largest vocation is tourism. Chiang Mai people are also involved in general commerce and industry-mainly in handicrafts, and of processing agricultural products.           Chiang Mai is a city with a beautiful cultural personality that is unique and blessed by majestic nature. The people themselves are unforgettable part of Chiang Mai. Along with its timeless souvenirs of handicrafts, Chiang Mai has become one of Thailand’s prime tourist attractions.