Con Dao

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The Con Dao Islands (Vietnamese Côn Đảo) are an archipelago of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, in southeastern Vietnam, and a district of this province. Situated at about 185 km from Vung Tau and 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City, the islands are comprised of 16 mountainous islands and islets. The total land area reaches 7515 km² and the local population is about 5000.

In June 16 1702, British East India Company founded a settlement on the island of Pulo Condor off the south coast of southern Vietnam , and in March 2, 1705 the garrison and settlement were destroyed.

The largest island is Con Son Island (also known as Con Lon Island), famous for its prison built by the French colonial government.

Much of the islands were given protected status in 1984. In 1984, they became a national park, Con Dao National Park, which was subsequently enlarged in 1998. Endangered species protected include the hawksbill turtle, the green turtle and the dugong. Ecosystems represented in the park include seagrass meadow, mangrove.

The island is served by Co Ong Airport.