Phuket Pearl of the Andaman Sea
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Phuket is a Thai province located just off the western coast of Southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea with a population of around 310,000 people. It is Thailand's largest island at 550sq km, roughly the same size as Singapore. It is 48 kilometres north to south and 21 kilometres east to west, and is surrounded by 39 smaller islands that add a further 70 sq km to its total land area. Phuket is connected to mainland Thailand via a bridge.
The island is broken by a chain of mountains and valleys in the west of the island running from the north to the south, which accounts for around 70% of the land area and much is covered in lush jungle. The highest peak of the island is Mai Thao Sip Song (12 Canes), at 529 metres above sea level. The rest of the island is lowlands located mainly in the central and eastern portions of the island where there are rice paddies and plantations of rubber, pineapple and coconuts.
Located only 8 degrees north of the equator, Phuket enjoys a tropical climate and is hot and humid throughout the year. The best time to visit is from November to March during the cooler North East monsoon season with temperatures of 24șC to 32șC. At this time it is not too humid, and the cool breezes blowing make the region very comfortable. The hottest season is from April-May, when temperatures range from 27șC to 36șC.
Phukets terrain is incredibly varied, with long sandy beaches, rocky headlands, limestone cliffs, forests, estuaries, lagoons, and all kinds of tropical vegetation. The most beautiful beaches are found on the western coast, while on the east coast beaches are more often muddy. The west coast was severely affected by the tsunami in December 2004, but almost no evidence of the damage now remains. One of the most popular areas is Patong Beach on the central western coast, with easy access and a long wide beach. There is plenty of nightlife and cheap shopping in Patong, with lots of amenities and entertainment options.
Phuket is a fun island with a cosmopolitan feel. It caters for all tastes and budgets and offers spectacular scenery, fantastic shopping, and a vibrant nightlife.