Bokeo Province

Coordinates: 20°18′00″N 100°25′01″E / 20.3°N 100.417°E / 20.3; 100.417
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Bokeo
ບໍ່ແກ້ວ
Map of Bokeo Province
Map of Bokeo Province
Location of Bokeo Province in Laos
Location of Bokeo Province in Laos
Coordinates: 20°18′00″N 100°25′01″E / 20.3°N 100.417°E / 20.3; 100.417
Country Laos
CapitalBan Houayxay
Area
 • Total6,196 km2 (2,392 sq mi)
Population
 (2005 census)
 • Total145,263
 • Density23/km2 (61/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+07
ISO 3166 codeLA-BK

Bokèo (Laotian: ບໍ່ແກ້ວ;)[1] is a northern province of Laos. It has the fewest people. Bokeo Province is the smallest of the country's provinces, covering an area of 6,196 square kilometres (2,392 square miles).

History[change | change source]

Bokeo ("gem mine") was named after the sapphires gems that is found in the province.[2]


Geography[change | change source]

Bokeo Province is the smallest of the country's provinces,[3] covering an area of 6,196 square kilometres (2,392 sq mi).[4]

Protected areas[change | change source]

The Bokeo Nature Reserve was created as protection for the black crested gibbon (also known as "black-cheeked gibbon"), discovered in 1997, previously thought to be extinct. Elephants and wild water buffalo migrate through the reserve;[5] bears and tigers are also present.[6]

Other than the gibbons the wildlife in the reserve reported are: tigers, bears, otters and wild cattle.

Demographics[change | change source]

Its population was 145,000 in 2007,[1] in 36 townships, more than 400 villages.[7] The province has more than 34 ethnicities.

Economy[change | change source]

Houay Xay, the capital city of the province, has a lot of eco nomic activity. The province produces a lot of maize.[8] Also there is a big industry for precious stones and gold

Paa beuk, a catfish, the largest freshwater fish in the world, is found in the Mekong river. It grows to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length and could weigh up to 300 kg. It is an economic resource for the people as it has a high price in the market, the meat of this endangered fish being a delicacy.

Gallery[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Burke & Vaisutis 2007, p. 214.
  2. Bush, Elliot & Ray 2010, p. 172.
  3. "Home". Regions. Official website of Laos Tourism. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  4. "Bokeo Province". Lao Tourism. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  5. DK Publishing 2011, p. 183.
  6. Outlook Publishing 2008, p. 58.
  7. "Destination: Bokeo Province". Laos Tourism Organization. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  8. Lao People's Democratic Republic: Second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (EPub). International Monetary Fund. 21 October 2008. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-4527-9182-1. Retrieved 6 December 2012.

Bibliography[change | change source]