Salavan Province Overview
Salavan Province overview can help you have a more comprehensive understanding of Salavan Province from the basic information, geographical location, climate and so on.
Basic Information
- Chinese Name: 沙拉湾
- Location:Southern Laos
- Population:a population of 6,157
- Area: an area of approximately 21，600 square kilometers.
- Main Religion: Theravada Buddhism
- Language: The official language of the city is Lao. However, several ethnic minority languages are also spoken.
- Economy: mainly based on agriculture, manufacturing, and services, particularly tourism.
- Famous Attractions: Prince Souphanouvong's Bridge，Tadlo waterfall and Tad Tevada waterfall，Khaen Garden and so on.
- Time Zone: UTC+7
Geography
Salavan province covers an area of 16,389 square kilometres. The Saravan city is capital of the province is located on a bend of Se Don River , which flows through the province and eventually joins the Mekong River at Pakse. The city serves as a nerve center for supply of goods to the hinterland districts of the province.
Its origin is volcanic with mountains and wide valleys. The central part of the province is located on the Bolaven Plateau, which is a key agricultural area with Arabica coffee as the dominant cash crop and other horticultural products which are exported.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Salavan is from November to March, which is considered to be the dry season. Start from May to October, the rain will take place throughout the region. July to September would rain the most. It is a scenic province of rock and valley, rivers, and forests when travel is difficult in the monsoon season. As a result, the period between May and October is a decidedly low season.
History
According to some historians, approximately 1,500 years ago, a Mon-Khmer group, the Cham, established settlements in what is now Salavan Province. The area eventually became part of the Khmer Empire, and by the 19th century it became an outpost of the Champasak Kingdom.
However, between 1779 and 1893, the province was considered a Thai colony. Salavan then became a French Protectorate under the Franco-Siamese Treaty of October 3, 1893.
In 1959, Laos’ colonial government levelled charges that Vietnamese-trained revolutionaries were active in Salavan, and in 1962, a Royal Lao Military spokesman claimed pro-independence troops were operating in Salavan District.
From that time until Laos' liberation in 1975, the province was caught up in a tug-of-war between Western-backed forces and Lao independence fighters. The renowned Ho Chi Minh Trail passed through Salavan's eastern mountains, attracting some of the war's most intensive bombings.
Reports in 1967 mention an American reconnaissance jet “disappeared” over Salavan, and in 1968, Lao revolutionaries clashed with the Royal Lao Army in remote pockets of the province. In June 1970, The New York Times reported that Pathet Lao troops had taken Salavan District, but Western-backed forces arrived to find it deserted.
In 1971, newspapers told US Air Force and Navy jets openly bombarding the province, and several were shot down. Battles in Salavan continued to rage in 1972, resulting in the razing of Salavan District.
Economy
Salavan province is one of the most important coffee producing areas of Laos along with Champasak province and Sekong province. Arabica coffee and coffee beans are the products of the Bolaven Plateau which is an export revenue product and can also be bought in villages along the roads.
Administrative divisions
The province is made up of eight districts: Salavan District(ເມືອງສາລາວັນ), Ta Oy District(ເມືອງ), Toumlane District(ຕຸ້ມລານ), Lakhonepheng District(ລະຄອນເພັງ), Vapy District(ວາປີ), Khongsedone District(ຄົງເຊໂດນ), Lao Ngarm District(ເລົ່າງາມ), Sa Mouay District(ສະມ້ວຍ).
