Lampang is one of the upper provinces located in the north of Thailand and was formerly known as Sri Don Chai, Khelang Nakorn, Kook Kut Nakorn, etc. But at the present time, on many occasions, it is simply known as Lampang and Khelang Nakorn. The white rooster is regarded as the provincial symbol of Lampang. Lampang is located in the upper part of northern Thailand, and is approximately 600 kilometres away from Bangkok along Phaholyothin Superhighway (Thailand Route 1) and 625 kilometres along the northern railway line. It has a total area of 12,533.961 km2 or about 7,833,726 rai. Most of Lampang's population practises agriculture. The main topographical features of Lampang are plains and forests. Lampang is deemed a mountainous and basin-shaped region which is surrounded by notable mountain ranges. The plains in the northern part of Lampang Province descend steeply into the valley which is comprised mainly of undulating hills, dense forests, grasslands, brooks, streams and rivers. To the south lie lowlands and the Wang River which has its source in the Phi Pan Nam Range. The two dominant ranges in Lampang are the Phi Pan Nam Range from which the Wang River originates, and the Khuntan Range which acts as the border between Lampang and Lamphun Provinces. There is a railway tunnel in the Khuntan Range, measuring approximately one kilometre in length. This tunnel is considered the longest railway tunnel in Thailand.