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Located approximately 862 kilometers south
of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand's largest island, which is
often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of
the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone
cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical
in-land forests contribute to making it the South's wealthiest,
busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.
Boundaries
Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the
southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian
Ocean, the province covers an area of approximately 543
square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated
that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590
square kilometers if its 39 other small islands are included.
The islands total length, from north to south, is estimated
at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.
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| Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the
north. The other 3 sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea
the place where many of the best diving sites are located.
The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge
and Thep Krasattri Bridge.
Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons
in a year - the rainy season (May to October) and the hot
season (November to April). Visitors are not recommended
to travel to Phuket between September and October as they
are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is
from November to February, when it is possible to see the
clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at
the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed
beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23?C and 33?C.
Geography
Phuket's topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its
area covered with mountains which stretch from north to
south and the remaining 30 percent being plains located
in the central and eastern parts of the island. The island
does not have any major rivers except for a total of 9 brooks
and creeks.
Economy
Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than
its natural heritage sea, sand, sky, beach, forest, and
world renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture
casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while
Phuket-style hospitality has never failed to impress visitors
from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations ranging
from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows have
warmly catered to the different needs of travelers. For
seafood lovers, there is a lot more to sample than just
Phuket's famous lobster. Altogether, these characteristics
have made Phuket a truly unique destination.
Population
Official population as of March 31, 2001, was 252,282.
This figure those who are registered as living in Phuket.
Phuket' s attraction as a center of economic activity has
resulted in many settlements that living on the island whose
registration is elsewhere. The total population of Phuket
varies considerably depending on the time of year, through
it is never less than the figure given above.
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