Attapeu province
Attapeu province
ແຂວງ ອັດຕະປື | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Map of Attapeu province | |
 Location of Attapeu province in Laos | |
| Coordinates: 14°48′00″N 106°49′59″E / 14.8°N 106.833°E | |
| Country | Laos |
| Capital | Attapeu |
| Area | |
• Total | 10,320 km2 (3,980 sq mi) |
| Population (2020[1]) | |
• Total | 159,900 |
| • Density | 15/km2 (40/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| ISO 3166 code | LA-AT |
| HDI (2022) | 0.597[2] medium · 10th |
Attapeu (Lao: ອັດຕະປື, pronounced [ʔát.tā.pɯ̀ː]) is a province of Laos in the southeast of the country. It has 5 districts: Samakkixay, Xaysetha, Sanamxay, Sanxay, and Phouvong, covering an area of 10,320 square kilometres (3,980 sq mi) with a population of 127,285.[3]
It was known as the "land of heroism". There are 2 biodiversity areas: Dong Ampham Forest (200,000 ha) and Xepaine Forest.[4]
Geography
[edit]Attapeu province covers an area of 10,320 square kilometres (3,980 sq mi).[5][4] It borders Sekong province to the north, Vietnam (Kom Tum) to the east, Virachey National Park of Cambodia (Ratanakiri and Stung Treng) to the south, and Champasak province to the west. Settlements in the province include Attapeu, Ban Nonghin, Ban Xoutouat, Ban Nong Songhong, Ban Renthuk, Ban Phiahom, Ban Choim, Ban Pakha, Ban Onglouang, Ban Het, Muang May, Ban kong Han, Ban Xakhe, and Ban Dakkrong.[6]
The landscape of the province consists of thick forest, rivers and streams and plains areas in the backdrop of mountains such as Phou Saphong and Phou Luang.[4] The principal rivers are the Xe Kong, Xe Kaman, and the Xe Xou River and the province is “difficult to traverse” in the rainy season.[7] The province has waterfalls of note. These include the 23 m high, 120 m wide Tad Saephe Waterfall in Xepaine Forest, the 10 m high, 30 m wide Tad Samongphak Waterfall between Houay Samong and Xepaine River, Tad Phok Waterfall, and Tad Phaphong Waterfall, running from Xe Xou River.[4] During the American War in Vietnam, parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail passed through the province. The main roads are Route 13, and Route 11.[4]
Protected areas
[edit]
Dong Ampham National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA) is the protected area which lies in Attapeu province (on the northeastern part) and Sekong province (on the southeastern part). It is in the southeast corner of Laos on the border with Vietnam. The NBCA is forested and covers about 200,000 hectares. Established in 1993,[8] it is 1 of the 23 National Biodiversity Conservation Areas of Laos. Dong Ampham is home to "some of the last intact areas of lowland and tropical forests remaining in mainland Southeast Asia."[9] Topographical features include Xe Kaman and Xe Xou Rivers, [10] and the volcanic lake Nong Fa Lake. Tigers and Clouded leopard are recorded fauna.[11]
The 71,400 hectare Attapu Plain is an Important Bird Area (IBA) adjacent to the NBCA. It is at an elevation of 200–400 metres (660–1,310 ft). The topography includes wetlands, such as the Xe Khaman and the Xe Xou Rivers, and freshwater lakes and pools. Dry forest landscapes, dry deciduous forest, shingle and stony beaches are habitats. Avifauna are the lesser fish eagle Ichthyophaga humilis, red-headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus, and white-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis.[12]
Administrative divisions
[edit]The province is composed of the following districts:[4]
| Map | Code | Name | Romanization | Lao script |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| 17-01 | Saysetha District | Mueang Saisathan | ເມືອງໄຊສະຖານ | |
| 17-02 | Samakkhixay District | Mueang Samakkhisai | ເມືອງສະໝັກຄີໄຊ | |
| 17-03 | Sanamxay District | Mueang Sanamsai | ເມືອງສະໜາມໄຊ | |
| 17-04 | Sanxay District | Mueang Sansai | ເມືອງສານໄຊ | |
| 17-05 | Phouvong District | Mueang Phuwong | ເມືອງພູວົງ |
History
[edit]The province was part of the Lane Xang Kingdom during the reign of King Saysethathirath. Earlier to this it was a habitat of wild buffaloes known as "Idkabue" (meaning, 'buffalo dropping'), which, in the French colonial regime, became "Attapeu". During the revolutionary war against the French, the province was the headquarters of the National Liberation Front; the pro-Royalist militia group led by General Vang Pao. By the end of the war, some of the area was destroyed, remnants of which can be seen in some stretches of the Ho Chi Minh Road.[4]
Demographics
[edit]Its population is reported to be 110,000 and consists of ethnic communities; 15 major tribes are reported in the province which include Lao, Alak, Katang, Kaleum, Katou, Suay, Oy, Taoy, Sadang, Nge, Lavea, Lavenh, Cheuang, Tariang and Nyaheung groups.[4]
Economy
[edit]
The listed globally threatened wild life species number 14 (according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN Red List and 23 species according to the CITES. In the rural economy Laos (80% of rural households), the dependency on forest resources is concentrated in the fields of wild animals and plants, exchanged and extracted for achieving sustainable income; fish is an aquatic vertebrate exploited, apart from other terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates.[13]
Given its proximity to Vietnam, the province has traditionally been a source for raw materials and forest products for adjacent regions in Vietnam. Forest products exported by Champa through its seaports were sourced from places as far as Attapeu.[14]
Some Vietnamese companies expanded into Attapeu province. Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group has acquired rights to grow rubber trees in the province. The company plans to invest in electricity generation, sugar refining, and organic fertilizer production.[15] Construction of a US$100 million sugar project including industrial facilities started in November 2011.[16]
Landmarks
[edit]Some of the locations in the province are the Wat Sakae Temple which has a Buddha image and is visited during the Lao New Year, and a pagoda and Xaysetha Stupa in Xaysetha District, built in 1579.[4] The temple of Wat Luang Muang Mai in the capital city of Attapeu was built in 1939 and is known for original naga barge boards.[17] King Setthathirat of the Lan Xang is buried in a stupa at the temple of Wat Pha Saysettha in Pha Meuang, approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the capital city. The Sihanouk Trail branches from the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Phu Vong, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from the capital.[18]
Villages
[edit]Gallery
[edit]-
Xekong province: Tad Feak Falls, just across the border from Attapeu -
Forested area, Attapeu province -
Attapeu village
References
[edit]- ^ Brinkhoff, Thomas (11 September 2020). "Statistical data from the yearly provincial census of Laos. 2020 official". city population. Open publishing. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ "Attapeu Overview". Tourism Laos. Tourism Marketing Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Destination: Attapeu Province". Lao Tourism Organisation. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
- ^ "Home". Regions. Official website of Laos Tourism. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ "Base Map:Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR)". UNOSAT. Archived from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
- ^ The Lao National Tourism Administration. "Attapeu Province". Ecotourism Laos. GMS Sustainable Tourism Development Project in Lao PDR. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ^ "Dong Ampham National Biodiversity Conservation Area". Protectedplanet.net. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ^ Islam 2010, p. 257.
- ^ Claridge 1996, p. 32.
- ^ Bush, Elliot & Ray 2010, p. 307.
- ^ "Important Bird Areas factsheet: Attapu Plain". BirdLife International. 2012. Archived from the original on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
- ^ "Trade in Natural Resources in Attopu Province". Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
- ^ Hardy, Cucarzi & Zolese 2009, p. 114.
- ^ Nguyen, Binh (17 March 2011). "HAGL diversifies investment portfolio in Laos". Saigon Times. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ "Vietnam group starts huge sugar project in Laos". Vietnam Investment Review. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ^ Bush, Elliot & Ray 2010, p. 308.
- ^ Bush, Elliot & Ray 2010, p. 310.
Bibliography
[edit]- Bush, Austin; Elliot, Mark; Ray, Nick (1 December 2010). Laos 7. Lonely Planet. pp. 307–. ISBN 978-1-74179-153-2.
- Claridge, Gordon (1996). An Inventory of Wetlands of the Lao P.D.R. IUCN. pp. 32–. ISBN 978-2-8317-0319-0.
- Hardy, Andrew David; Cucarzi, Mauro; Zolese, Patrizia (2009). Champa and the Archaeology of Mỹ Sơn (Vietnam). NUS Press. ISBN 978-9971-69-451-7.
- Islam, Nahid (1 January 2010). Law of Non Navigational USes Intl Watercourses: Option Regional. Kluwer Law International. pp. 257–. ISBN 978-90-411-3196-6.
Places adjacent to Attapeu province | |
|---|---|
