As the study of the Earth and its human and natural phenomena, geography is certainly a subject that can be enhanced by school trips: the chance to experience different terrains, climates, and societies first-hand can bring the subject to life for students. With its tropical climate and varied landscapes, and its urban centres, farming regions, and hill tribes, Thailand is an ideal destination on every level. Read on for an introduction to what your students could experience on a geography-focused visit to this inspiring country.
Thailand's geography: an introduction
Those preparing for school trips may want to furnish their students with some facts about their destination before leaving. Thailand covers an area of 514,000 square kilometres, and its central, northern and northeastern regions form part of a large floodplain, with the Chao Phraya River at its heart. This made it an attractive area to early settlers, who were able to develop abundant rice cultivation. In later periods it was an important trade crossroads on both land and sea routes, which contributed to a rich flourishing of civilisation. Much of the country is bordered by land, with Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia as neighbouring countries, but the Gulf of Thailand and the extension of the country along part of the Malay Peninsular mean that the south has extensive coastlines. The shape of the country is often likened to that of an elephant's head (the elephant is the national animal), with the peninsular region forming the trunk.
Land and produce
Thailand has a tropical climate with two monsoon seasons per year, and much of the land is fertile. The northern region is mountainous, while the northeast is generally more dry, and 26% of the land is forest - it was once much more so. Due to the varied landscapes a variety of produce can be grown - the country's main product is rice, but it is often grown in rotation with corn and potatoes; other crops include tomatoes, pineapples, sunflowers and tobacco. Salt is dried in the south, and the country has significant fish, chicken and pork industries. Natural resources include tin, natural gas, rubber, timber and lead. Visiting any of the regions where these are produced will help demonstrate to students on school trips the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate elements of geography - climate, land, industry and society.
Exploring the city
Bangkok is likely to be the starting point for most school trips, and is a fascinating city for geography students in many regards. Home to 12,000,000 people, it is a densely populated modern metropolis that has expanded rapidly since its founding as the capital in 1782. This makes it an interesting place to study the effects of growth on an urban centre.
Thailand's geography: an introduction
Those preparing for school trips may want to furnish their students with some facts about their destination before leaving. Thailand covers an area of 514,000 square kilometres, and its central, northern and northeastern regions form part of a large floodplain, with the Chao Phraya River at its heart. This made it an attractive area to early settlers, who were able to develop abundant rice cultivation. In later periods it was an important trade crossroads on both land and sea routes, which contributed to a rich flourishing of civilisation. Much of the country is bordered by land, with Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia as neighbouring countries, but the Gulf of Thailand and the extension of the country along part of the Malay Peninsular mean that the south has extensive coastlines. The shape of the country is often likened to that of an elephant's head (the elephant is the national animal), with the peninsular region forming the trunk.
Land and produce
Thailand has a tropical climate with two monsoon seasons per year, and much of the land is fertile. The northern region is mountainous, while the northeast is generally more dry, and 26% of the land is forest - it was once much more so. Due to the varied landscapes a variety of produce can be grown - the country's main product is rice, but it is often grown in rotation with corn and potatoes; other crops include tomatoes, pineapples, sunflowers and tobacco. Salt is dried in the south, and the country has significant fish, chicken and pork industries. Natural resources include tin, natural gas, rubber, timber and lead. Visiting any of the regions where these are produced will help demonstrate to students on school trips the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate elements of geography - climate, land, industry and society.
Exploring the city
Bangkok is likely to be the starting point for most school trips, and is a fascinating city for geography students in many regards. Home to 12,000,000 people, it is a densely populated modern metropolis that has expanded rapidly since its founding as the capital in 1782. This makes it an interesting place to study the effects of growth on an urban centre.
No comments:
Post a Comment