Area: 15,494.9 sq. km.
Population: 1,095,900 habitants (2004)
Capital:Pleiku City.
Administrative divisions:
- Town: An Khe
- Districts: Ayun Pa, Chu Pah, Chu Prong, Chu Se, Duc Co, Ia Grai,
Kbang, Krong
Pa, Kong Chro, Mang Yang, Dak Doa, Ia Pa, Dak Po.
Ethnic groups:Viet (Kinh), Gia Rai, Ba Na, Tay...
Geography
Gia Lai is located in the Central Highlands.
It shares the border with Kon Tum Province
on the north, Dak Lak Province
on the south, Cambodia
on the west, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen provinces on the east.
Gia Lai is source of Ba and Se San rivers with Yaly hydroelectricity
plant. It
owns many springs, lakes, waterfalls, rives, and primary forest.
Climate:There are two seasons:
the rainy season lasts from May to November and the dry season lasts
from
December to April. The annual average temperature varies between 21 and
25ºC. The west of Truong
Son Ranges
has annual average rainfall is 2,200 – 2,500mm. The
east of Truong Son Ranges
has annual average rainfall is 1,200 – 1,750mm.
Tourism
Coming to Gia Lai, visitors have a change to discover
many impressive, poetic scenes. They are Kon Ka Kinh, Kon Cha Rang
tropical
forests, Xung Khoeng Waterfall, Phu Cuong Waterfall, Da Trang, Mo
springs and Ayaun Ha Lake. Located on the top of an extinct volcano,
Bien Ho
(To Nung Lake) is called the “Pearl of Pleikuâ€. Its water is so
clear that visitors can see fish swimming
under blue water.
The province is also proud of funeral houses, La Phum, D’ko
Tu traditional villages with special Rong house. Whenever going to this
windy
and sunny land, visitors are likely to see the unique architectural
style of
the statues in funeral houses, and to investigate the local customs and
practice mysterious to them. Apart of that, tens of thousands of
visitors are
attracted to Dong
Xanh Cutural
Park in which many
typical varieties of flowers and trees of Central Highlands are planted.
Gia Lai has historic sites such as King Quang Trung’s guerilla base,
Nup
hero’s homeland, Pleiku Prison, Pleime, Cheo Leo, and La Rang
battlefields.
Ethnic groups
Many ethnic groups live together. Kinh make up 52% of population, Gia
Rai
(33.5%), Ba Na (13.7%), then Gie Trieng, Xo Dang, Co Ho, Nhang, Thai,
Muong...
Gia Lai has long history and old ethnic culture, mainly Gia Lai and Ba
Na
ethnics. This uniquely character stamps of rong house, house on
stills,
tomb-house statue architectural styles, traditional festivals, customs
and
musical instruments. In attractive events like Po Thi (leaving-the-tomb)
ceremony, buffalo stabbing festival, xoang dance…the ethnic
groups
show their customs with colorful, mystical pattern, perform many
traditional
dances and uniquely musical instruments (horn, gong lu,
gongs…).
Transport
Pleiku is 186km from Quy Nhon, 197km from Buon Ma Thuot, and 550km from
Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam Airlines has daily from Danang and Ho Chi Minh City
to Pleiku Airport. Pleiku
Airport is 25km from Pleiku City
centre, 45km from Kon Tum.