Ratanakiri

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**Ratanakiri**
រតនគីរី
Statistics
Area:	10,782 km²
Inhabitants:	94,243 (1998)
Pop. density:	8.7 inh./km²
ISO 3166-2:	KH-16
Map

Aerial view of Yak Loum Lake

Hill tribe village

Ka Choung waterfall

Ratanakiri is a province in Northeastern Cambodia. The word "Ratanakiri" is a derivative of two Cambodian^{[citation needed]} words, combined to mean "place of gems and mountains." The word comes from the Sanskrit word Ratna (gem) and giri (mountain). It’s capital, Banlung, is located in the central highlands of the province, approximately 365 miles (586 kilometers) from Phnom Penh. Lomphat, a small town in the southern plains, is the former capital of Ratanakiri. The province is a popular destination for thousands of tourist every year. Ecotourism abounds, due to lush wildlife and remote tribal villages. Most of the inhabitants of Ratanakiri are indigenous minorities. Ethnic Cambodians make up only 10-20% of the total population.

The province is subdivided into 9 districts.

1601 Andoung Meas
1602 Ban Lung
1603 Bar Kaev
1604 Koun Mom
1605 Lumphat
1606 Ou Chum
1607 Ou Ya Dav
1608 Ta Veaeng
1609 Veun Sai

1 Economy
2 Tourist Attractions
3 Towns
4 External links

[edit] Economy

The vast majority of the indigenous peoples of Ratanakiri are subsistence farmers, planting rice, corn, and pumpkins. Some grow an additional cash crop such as peanuts or cashews.

A number of wealthy Cambodians and Vietnamese own large plantations surrounding the capital of Banlung. Most plant peanuts, coffee, or cashews. Additionally, Ratanakiri boasts hundreds of square miles of rubber plantations. Much rubber is exported to Vietnam.

Gem mines in the South and West of the province are important sources of income, as well as a draw for tourists and miners. Ratanakiri is famous for its blue zircons and its fine amethysts.

Much trade with the neighboring country of Vietnam takes place along the Cambodian National Highway 19, which runs through the center of the capital of Banlung.

Tourism, however, is rapidly becoming the premier means of economic growth. Banlung has more than four hotels and countless guesthouses, and many restaurants and shops have been established to cater to the recent influx of large numbers of tourists.

[edit] Tourist Attractions

The two main draws that bring tourists to Ratanakiri are its indigenous people groups and its wildlife. The province is home to five main ethnic minority groups, the Tampuan, Krung, Jarai, Kachok, and Brao/Kavet. Their tribal lifestyle and village culture are a popular attraction to tourists from Europe and the United States.

Yak Loum lake is another popular tourist destination in Ratanakiri. Located approximately 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from the town center, the beautiful lake is the caldera of a large volcanic crater. Due to the lake’s tremendous depth (157 feet/48 meters), its water is exceptionally clean and clear. The lake is almost perfectly round and measures .45 of a mile (.75 kilometer) in diameter. Large trees and rich, lush rainforest, the home of many exotic birds and parrots, surround the lake.

[edit] Towns

Besides the capital of Banlung, Ratanakiri has two other major towns.

Vuen sai, to the north, is located on the Se San river. Population is less than 1000. During the dry season, Veun Sai boasts a long, white sanded beach along the river, which proves to be an important tourist attraction. Most of the population of Veun Sai is either Krung, Lao, or Chinese. The beautiful, ethnic Chinese portion of the town is located on the North side of the river.
Lomphat, the former capital of Ratanakiri, is located to the South, on the Se Kong river. It is small, numbering less than 800 people.