Nama : Siti Zairotul Munawaroh

Kelas : IX.E
No. Absen : 27
U.3 : Descriptive text

Phuket Island in Thailand

Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand, located in the Andaman Sea of southern
Thailand. The island is mostly mountainous with a mountain range in the west of the
island from the north to the south. The mountains of Phuket form the southern end of
the Phuket mountain range, which ranges for 440 kilometres (270 mi) from the Kra
Isthmus. Although some recent geographical works refer to the sections of the
Tenasserim Hills in the isthmus as the "Phuket Range", these names are not found,
however, in classical geographic sources. In addition, the name Phuket is relatively
recent having previously been named Jung Ceylon and Thalang. The highest elevation
of the island is usually regarded as Khao Mai Thao Sip Song (Twelve Canes), at 529
metres (1,736 ft) above sea level. However it has been reported by barometric pressure
readings that there is an even higher elevation (with no apparent name), of 542 meters
above sea level, in the Kamala hills behind Kathu waterfall. Its population was 249,446
in 2000, rising to 525,018 in the 2010 decennial census, the highest growth rate of all
provinces nationwide at 7.4% annual, some 600,000 people reside in Phuket currently,
among them migrants, international expats, Thais registered in other provinces and
locals. The registered population, however, includes only Thais, and the end of 2012 was
360,905 people.

It is estimated that Phuket has a total area of approximately 576 square kilometres
(222 sq mi) (including the province's other islands). Phuket is approximately 536 miles
(863 km) south of Bangkok, and covers an area of 543 square kilometres (210 sq mi)
excluding small islets. Other Islands are : Ko Lone 4.77 square kilometres (1.84 sq mi),
Ko Maprao 3.7 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi), Ko Naka Yai 2.08 square kilometres
(0.80 sq mi), Ko Racha Noi 3.06 square kilometres (1.18 sq mi), Ko Racha Yai 4.5
square kilometres (1.7 sq mi), and the second biggest, Ko Sire 8.8 square kilometres
(3.4 sq mi) (It is also the 2nd most popolated in Mu Ko Phuket.

It is estimated that if all its 39 other small islands are included, Phuket Province will
cover an area of 576 square kilometres (222 sq mi). The island total length, from north
to south, is estimated at 30 miles (48 km) and 13 miles (21 km) wide.

Phuket's topography 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. It has a total of 9 brooks and creeks but does
not have any major rivers.

Forest, rubber and palm oil plantations cover 60% of the island. The western coast has
several sandy beaches, while on the east coast beaches are more often muddy. Near the
southernmost point is Laem Promthep (Brahma's Cape), which is a popular sunset
viewing point. In the mountainous north of the island is the Khao Phra Thaeo Non-
hunting Area, protecting more than 20 km² of rainforest. The three highest peaks of this
reserve are the Khao Prathiu (384 metres (1,260 ft)), Khao Bang Pae 388 metres
(1,273 ft) and Khao Phara 422 metres (1,385 ft). The Sirinat National Park on the
northwestern coast was established in 1981 and protects an area of 90 square kilometres
(35 sq mi) (68 kilometres (42 mi) marine area), including the Nai Yang beach where sea
turtles lay their eggs.

One of the most popular (and overcrowded) tourist areas on Phuket is Patong Beach on
the central western coast, perhaps owing to the easy access to its wide and long beach.
Most of Phuket's nightlife and its cheap shopping is located in Patong, and the area has
become increasingly developed. Patong means "the forest filled with banana leaves" in
Thai. Other popular beaches are located south of Patong. In a counterclockwise
direction these include Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, and around the
southern tip of the island, Nai Harn Beach and Rawai. To the north of Patong are
Kamala Beach, Surin Beach and Bang Tao Beach. These areas are generally much less
developed than Patong, and sought out by individuals, families and other groups with a
preference for more relaxed and less crowded environs than Patong. There are many
islands to the southeast, including Bon Island, just a short boat trip away. There are
several coral islands to the south of Phuket, the Similan Islands lie to the north west,
and Phi Phi Islands to the south east. Islanders engage in a lively tourist trade, catering
to snorkellers and scuba divers.