SPACEPHOTOS

The Chao Phraya River (dark, thin line) meanders through the metropolitan area (slightly right of center) and empties into the Bight of Bangkok. The population of the metropolitan Bangkok (capital city) is estimated (1998) to be in excess of 10 million people, making it the largest city on mainland Southeast Asia and one of the largest city’s in the world. Sediment plumes (brownish-looking water) are visible along the shoreline in the Bay of Bangkok. The Chao Phraya River has created an extensive, flat delta that is used either for agriculture or urban development (lighter areas). The predominant crop is rice but fruits and vegetables are also grown on the vast delta. There is an elaborate system of irrigation ditches and canals that crisscross the rural landscape, furnishing an adequate water supply for Thailand’s successful agricultural economy. Thailand is the world’s largest producer of rice. Most of the elongated (white-looking), linear features are canals. Some of the less distinct linear features are either highway or railroad right of ways. The broad but short (highly reflective) parallel lines (bottom center) are runways at Don Muang Airport.