| Geography |
Demographics |
Telephone |
Capital: Kratie
Location: Eastern
Area: 11,094 km2
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Population: 263,175
Density: 23.7 /km2
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Calling code |
| Town and Districts |
| Chhloung , Kracheh , Preaek Prasab , Sambour , Snuol |
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| General Information
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Kratie is a heavily forested province spanning the Mekong River, whose banks are home to most of the province population. Beyond the mighty river, it is a remote and wild area that has seen few outsiders. This was one of the first areas to fall to Khmer Rouge control in the civil war, although for several year it was in fact the Vietnamese communists running the show. The port of Chhlong in southwest Kratie somehow held out against the surrounding communists until 1975, probably a useful way for the Khmer Rouge to acquire arms from Lon Nol military. It was also one of the first provincial capitals to fall to the liberating Vietnamese forces in the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge on 30 December 1978.
Most visitors focus on the rare freshwater dolphins found 15km north of the provincial capital, and for good reason, as other attractions are thin on the ground. However, the town of Kratie is a charming little place and makes a good base to check out the surrounding countryside. Getting about is generally easier by boat than by road, as most roads in the province are pretty horrible. Currently, the appalling NH7, running right through the center of Kratie, is being entirely reconstructed; this is very good news for anyone who remembers the old road. The long haul north to Stung Treng is still not earmarked for overhaul and remains a truly nasty piece of work. The major highway from Chhlong to Snuol and on to Mondulkiri Province is in fairly good condition though.
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