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Mae Chaem History
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Geography
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History
The district Mueang Chaem was created in 1908, consisting of the tambon Mae Thap,Tha Pha, Chang Khoeng and Mae Suek split off from Chom Thong. In 1917 it was renamed to Chang Khoeng, as the district office was located in that tambon.In 1938 it was reduced to a minor district (King Amphoe) and was a subordinate of Chom Thong district. 1939 it was renamed to Mae Chaem. In 1956 it was upgraded to a full district. |
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Geography
Neighboring districts are (from the east clockwise) Samoeng, Mae Wang, Chom Thong and Hot of Chiang Mai Province, and Mae Sariang, Mae La Noi, Khun Yuam, Mueang Mae Hong Son and Pai of Mae Hong Son Province. |
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Topography and Vegetation
Sharp relief and forest vegetation characterize the Mae Chaem basin. The basin has a wide range of elevation, from 282 m.a.s.l. at its lowest point to 2,565 m.a.s.l. at its highest peak, Doi Inthanon, which is also the highest mountain of all Thailand. Altitude variation induces different climatic zones with distinctive types of natural landcover. Dominant vegetation includes dry dipterocarp and mixed deciduous forests below 1,000 m.a.s.l., tropical mixed pine forest from 900 – 1,500 m.a.s.l. alternating with hill evergreen forest that extends up to 2,000 m.a.s.l., and tropical montane cloud forest above 2,000 m.a.s.l. Steep hillsides with slopes exceeding 25% are a common landscape element, resulting in rates of soil erosion that prevent advanced soil development. Thus, soils are relatively shallow and have limited water-holding capacity. Dominant soil textures are sandy clay loam and clay loam. |
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