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46-401: Champasak is bordered by Salavan province to the north, Sekong province to the northeast, Attapeu province to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west. The Mekong River forms part of the border with neighboring Thailand and contains Si Phan Don ('Four Thousand Islands') in the south of the province, on the border with Cambodia. Champasak has played a central role in

92-481: A population of a species categorized by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered , Endangered or Vulnerable . In general, the regular presence of a Critical or Endangered species, irrespective of population size, at a site may be sufficient for a site to qualify as an IBA. For Vulnerable species, the presence of more than threshold numbers at a site is necessary to trigger selection. The site forms one of

138-429: A set selected to ensure that all restricted-range species of an Endemic Bird Area (EBA) or a Secondary Area (SA) are present in significant numbers in at least one site and preferably more. The site forms one of a set selected to ensure adequate representation of all species restricted to a given biome, both across the biome as a whole and for all of its species in each range state. The assessment by expert individuals

184-614: Is 137,120 ha in size, and sits at an altitude of 400–2,100 metres (1,300–6,900 ft). The habitat includes dry evergreen forest, pine forest, semi-evergreen forest, upper montane forest, and grassland. Two species of gymnosperm were noted: Fokienia hodginsii and Pinus dalatensis . Its avifauna includes Blyth's kingfisher ( Alcedo hercules ), yellow-billed nuthatch ( Sitta solangiae ), and Vietnamese crested argus ( Rheinardia ocellata ). There are several types of mammals , two types of primates , and one turtle species. The "Mekong Channel from Phou Xiang Thong to Siphandon" IBA

230-584: Is 34,200 ha in size. There is a 10,000 ha overlap with the Phou Xiengthong National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA is 120,000 ha in size). The IBA encompasses two provinces, Salavan and Champasak . The IBA's altitude is 40–50 metres (130–160 ft) above sea level. Its topography is characterized by earth banks, rocky banks, rocky islands, seasonally flooded sandbars, low vegetated islands, rocky islets, sandy beaches, and sand bars. Notable avifauna

276-515: Is a large chamber with doors in the front and rear and windows on two sides. Inscriptions imply the site is closely related to Wat Phou Champasak. An archeological site is at Pu Asa on a mountain top. Kiat Ngong village is noted for its medicinal plants and forest products. The Champasak Historical Heritage Museum in Pakse provides insight into the history of Laos as well as its cultural and artistic heritage. In Wat Amath , treasures dating back to

322-578: Is a monastic school and a small Buddha foot imprint shrine in Wat Pha Bhat and Wat Tham Fai; religious festivals are held within a large open area. Tormor Rocky Channel is the 15th National Heritage Site in Laos; it is about 11 km (6.8 mi) southeast of Wat Phou Champasak on the left bank of the Mekong. The pathway to the building is lined with columns of sandstone. It is in a ruined state. There

368-536: Is a province of Laos , located in the south of the country. Its earlier name was Saravan which was changed by the Thais to Salavan in 1828. It was part of the Champasak Kingdom in an area known as Muang Mang inhabited by minorities of Mon-Khmer groups. Salavan province covers an area of 16,389 square kilometres (6,328 sq mi). The province borders Savannakhét province to the north, Vietnam to

414-409: Is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations. IBA was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International . There are over 13,000 IBAs worldwide. These sites are small enough to be entirely conserved and differ in their character, habitat or ornithological importance from the surrounding habitat. In

460-403: Is at an elevation of 40–50 m (130–160 ft). Its topography consists of earth banks, rocky banks, rocky islands, sandbars, low vegetated islands, rocky islets, and sandy beaches. Notable avifauna include Laos's last known nesting little terns , river lapwings , river terns , small pratincoles and wire-tailed swallows . The 36,650 ha (90,600 acres) Phou Xiang Thong IBA is also in

506-604: 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. The city is the administrative, economic and cultural hub of the province. Subsequent to the extensive damage caused to the town during the 1971 Indochina war , it has been rebuilt as per modern urban planning concepts. Two French colonial buildings are still seen here. The market centre in

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552-618: Is completely lacking. In 1985, following a specific request from the European Economic Community , Birdlife International drew up a list of sites to be protected as a matter of priority. In 1989, a repertoire of IBAs of Europe was released. At first the official name of this type of site was Important Bird Area , hence the acronym IBA, then at the BirdLife World Congress held in Canada in 2014 it

598-603: Is east of Pakse. Xe Pian National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA) lies in the southeastern part of the province, while the Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area is in the eastern area. The Center for Protection and Conservation of freshwater dolphins is on the Cambodian border. These freshwater dolphins are known locally as pakha in Lao , and are found only on this particular stretch of

644-693: Is known for Katu and Alak villages, as well as a waterfall. Lam Salavane is a Lao language folksong derived from Mon–Khmer styles. It includes instrumental accompaniment of a drum, fiddle, flute, khene , lute, and other percussive instruments. Several television stations are available in Salavan. Lao National Television broadcasts TNL1 (from Vientiane , and TNL3 (from Vientiane . Salavan Media broadcasts four national channels TV-Veritas Channel 1 , TV-Veritas Channel 2 , TV-Veritas Channel 3 , and TV-Veritas Channel 4 . Important Bird Area An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area ( IBA )

690-596: Is located at an altitude of 40–500 metres (130–1,640 ft) above sea level. Its topography is characterized by low hills, lowlands, rivers, and seasonal streams. Its habitat contains dry deciduous tropical forest, moist deciduous tropical forest, semi-evergreen tropical rain forest, mixed deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest , and open rocky savanna . Notable avifauna include Siamese fireback ( Lophura diardi ), red-collared woodpecker ( Picus rabieri ), green peafowl ( Pavo muticus ), and grey-faced tit babbler ( Macronous kelleyi ). Xe Bang Nouan (XBN) Protected Area

736-641: Is now Salavan province. It came to be ruled by the Champa after the Cham people migrated from South China to the territory. Various kingdoms united into the Lan Xang under Fa Ngum in 1353. Between 1779 and 1893, the province was a Thai colony. In the 20th century, it became a French Protectorate under the Franco-Siamese Treaty of October 3, 1893. The province had 8 districts and 715 villages after

782-490: Is the last known nesting little terns ( Sternula albifrons ); there are also small pratincoles ( Glareola lactea ), river lapwings ( Vanellus duvaucelii ), wire-tailed swallows ( Hirundo smithii ), and river terns ( Sterna aurantia ). The Phou Xiang Thong IBA (36,650 hectare) is situated within the Phou Xiengthong NBCA (120,000 hectare). The IBA encompasses two provinces, Salavan and Champasak. The IBA

828-522: Is where the Tahoy ethnic groups reside; there are about 30,000 of them. Their cultural practice involves shamanistic rituals combined with animism . During the festivals, people of the town erect totems made in the form of a diamond as a warning to outsiders not to enter the town. Tigers are a common sight in this town which keeps the people indoors during the night. Tatlo on the Bolaven Plain

874-655: The Bolaven Plateau , which is a key agricultural area with Arabica coffee as the dominant cash crop and other horticultural products which are exported. The western part of Salavan province is delimited by the Mekong river while the eastern part is delimited by the Lao-Vietnamese border. In addition to the Bolaven Plateau and the Mekong, the topography includes plains and a mountainous region near

920-434: The grey-faced tit-babbler , green peafowl , red-collared woodpecker , and Siamese fireback . The province is made up of the following districts: The population of the province, from the 2015 census, is 694,023. The ethnic composition consists mainly of Lao , but also Chieng, Inthi, Kaseng, Katang , Kate, Katu, Kien Lavai, Laven, Nge, Nyaheun, Oung, Salao, Suay , Tahang, and Tahoy ethnic groups, as well as Khmer . Near

966-403: The 1990s. The weaving centres of Ban Saphai and Don Kho are 18 km (11 mi) from Pakse. The Jhai Coffee Farmers Cooperative, headquartered at the provincial capital, operates on the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is also notable for its rubber, tobacco, peaches, pineapple, and rice production. Champasak has some 20 wats (temples). The Khmer ruins of Wat Phou are in the capital of

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1012-660: The Champasak District. They are on the Phu Kao mountain slopes, about 6 km (3.7 mi) from Champasak District and about 45 km (28 mi) to the south of Pakse along the Mekong River. Wat Phou was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 14 December 2001. It is the second such site in Laos. The temple complex, built in the Khmer style, overlooks the Mekong River and was an important Hindu temple in

1058-545: The Chao Anouvong Rebellion. Pakse, the capital of the province, was established by the French in 1905 as an administrative outpost at the confluence of Xe Don (Don River) and the Mekong. Champasak province covers an area of 15,415 km (5,952 sq mi). The Mekong forms part of the border with neighboring Thailand and, after a sharp bend projecting westward, turns east and flows southeasterly through

1104-666: The Khmer Empire. At the same location are the ruins of other pre-Angkor monuments. Wat Phou Asa is an ancient Hindu-Khmer pagoda, built on flat rock on Phou Kao Klat Ngong Mount in Pathoumphone District. It can be reached via Route 13, south of Pakse, and then by foot from Ban Klat Ngong . The pagoda was built by the Khmers and is in a ruined state, but is an important archaeological site. It is now under renovation. Wat Luang and Wat Tham Fai were built in 1935. There

1150-527: The Mekong River. Hire boats are available to see these endangered dolphins, either from Ban Khon or Ban Veunkham (at the southern end of the islands). The Mekong Channel from Phou Xiang Thong to Siphandon Important Bird Area (IBA) is 34,200 ha (85,000 acres) in size. A portion of the IBA (10,000 hectares) overlaps with the 120,000 ha (300,000 acres) Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area . The IBA encompasses two provinces, Champasak and Salavan . The IBA

1196-474: The Mekong north of the border with Cambodia. Of these islands, Don Khong is the largest and has a number of small villages, temples, and caves. A French-built bridge on the abandoned railway line provides the link with two smaller islands, Don Det and Don Khon . There are many waterfalls in the province such as the Tad Somphamit (or Liphi) Waterfall, at Don Khon to the west of Ban Khon village. Below

1242-456: The Phou Xiengthong NBCA. This IBA spans two provinces, Champasak and Salavan. The IBA is at an elevation of 40–500 m (130–1,640 ft). The topography consists of low hills, lowlands, rivers, and seasonal streams. Habitat is characterized by dry deciduous tropical forest , moist deciduous tropical forest , semi-evergreen tropical rainforest , mixed deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest, and open rocky savanna . Notable avifauna include

1288-580: The Stone Age can be seen. The museum has few artifacts, but many old documents, three old Dong Son bronze drums , 7th century lintels made of sandstone, textile and jewelry collections including items such as iron ankle bracelets, ivory ear plugs, musical instruments, a stele in Thai script (15th to 18th century), a water jar of 11th or 12th century vintage, a small Shiva linga , a model of Wat Phu Champasak, Buddha images, and American weaponry. The province

1334-550: The United States the program is administered by the National Audubon Society . Often IBAs form part of a country's existing protected area network, and so are protected under national legislation. Legal recognition and protection of IBAs that are not within existing protected areas varies within different countries. Some countries have a National IBA Conservation Strategy, whereas in others protection

1380-506: The border between Thailand and Cambodia there is also an Chams ethnic group known as the Laotian Chams . The economic output of the province consists primarily of agricultural products—especially production of coffee , tea , and rattan . It is one of the most important coffee producing areas of Laos along with Salavan and Sekong provinces. Pakse is the main trade and travel link with Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Following

1426-604: The border with Vietnam. The two protected areas in the province are the Xe Pian and Dong Ampham. Access to the province is difficult as the road network is not in good condition, particularly during the monsoon rains. The Xe Sap Important Bird Area (IBA) is situated within the Xe Xap National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA) (113,000 ha), surpassing its boundaries. The IBA is part of two provinces, Salavan and Sekong . It

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1472-555: The building of the Lao Nippon bridge across the Mekong at Pakse in 2002, trade with Thailand has multiplied several fold. The bridge lies at the junction of roads to the Bolaven Plateau in the east, Thailand in the west, and Si Phan Don to the south. Consequently, the market place at the Talat Sao Heung, near the bridge, has become one of the largest in Laos. Improved infrastructure has also led to an increase in tourism since

1518-480: The east, Sekong province to the southeast, Champasak province to the south and Thailand to the west. 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 . The western part of Salavan province is delimited by the Mekong River while the eastern part is delimited by the Lao-Vietnamese border. Approximately 1,500 years ago, Khmer people established settlements in what

1564-537: The falls in the calmer waters of the Mekong the fresh water dolphins can be seen. The Khone Phapheng Falls to the east of Don Khon, also on the Mekong, cascade along a broad mouth of rock slopes in a curvilinear pattern. The 120 m (390 ft) Tad Fane Waterfall (or Dong Hua Sao) in the Bolaven Plateau is the country's highest waterfall. It is created by the Champi and Prakkoot streams which originate at about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level. The plateau

1610-405: The history of Siam and Laos, with frequent battles taking place in and around Champasak. Its cultural heritage includes ancient temple ruins and French colonial architecture. Champasak has some 20 wats (temples), such as Wat Phou , Wat Luang , and Wat Tham Fai . Freshwater dolphins and the province's many waterfalls are tourist attractions. From the 1st to 9th centuries CE, Champasak province

1656-625: The liberation of 1975. In the Indochina war , Salavan town was subject to extensive depredation when its control frequently shifted between the Royal Forces and the Pathet Lao . It was subsequently rebuilt with brick masonry and timber buildings, coexisting with the few old buildings which survived the war. Salavan province covers an area of 16,389 square kilometres (6,328 sq mi). The province borders Savannakhét province to

1702-518: The north, Vietnam to the east, Xekong province to the southeast, Champasak province to the south and Thailand to the west. Notable settlements in the province include Salavan , Muang Khongxedon , Ban Tha Kien , Ban D'Hon , Ban Phou Daotleng Noi , Ban La Khone Pheng , Ban Laongam , Ban Dong , Ban Lavang , Ban Nongbua , Ban Khanmakgnot , Ban Yon , Man Donmouang , Ban Napho , Ban Proy , Ban Tang-Un Tai , Choiavieng , Ban Ralao , Ban Kanay , Tavouc , Tala and A Boum . The Saravan city

1748-463: The province as per the 2015 census was 396,942 distributed over eight districts. The ethnic groups in the province comprise the Tahoy, Pako, Katang , Kado, Suay , and Laven . 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

1794-460: The province down to Cambodia. Champasak can be reached from Thailand through Sirindhorn District's Chong Mek border crossing, to Vang Tao on the Lao side, from where the highway leads east towards the provincial capital, Pakse. The capital is on Laos' most important highway, Route 13 , and the French legacy can be seen in the city's architecture. Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands) is on a stretch of

1840-445: The river. The forests found are the evergreen, dry dipterocarp, mixed deciduous and other natural forest types, and about 87% of the area of the reserve is forested. Forest products of damar , fish and sticklac are exploited by the ethnic population living in the reserve for economic sustenance; they also have livestock and shifting cultivation practices. The province is made up of the following eight districts: The population of

1886-660: The roads. Katang village in Toomlarn District is known for silk weaving. Here the Lapup Festival is held in late February, when buffaloes are sacrificed. Hence, the festival is also called the Katu and Alak Buffalo Sacrifice. The village is located on the Ho Chi Minh Trail where UXOs are found and are a threat to the people. However, people still collect the war relics and sell them. Tahoy town

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1932-558: The town is very colourful. Nang Bua Lake, from where the Se Bon River originates, is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the city. The lake has a few Siamese crocodiles ( Khai in Lao). Nearby is a hill, Phu Katae at 1,588 metres (5,210 ft) where the CIA airstrip was once functional. Its origin is volcanic with mountains and wide valleys. The central part of the province is located on

1978-408: Was decided to adopt the name Important Bird and Biodiversity Area , without changing the acronym. IBAs are determined by an internationally agreed set of criteria. Specific IBA thresholds are set by regional and national governing organizations. To be listed as an IBA, a site must satisfy at least one of the following rating criteria: The site qualifies if it is known, estimated or thought to hold

2024-468: Was established on 29 October 1993 covering an area of 1260 km , and extending over Salavan and Savannakhet provinces. The topography of the reserve lies in the elevation range of 200-1000m; has flat to gently rolling terrain below 400 m elevation in the north and south of the Bang Nouan River ; the central part the river flows through gorges; and to the east of the hills is the wide valley of

2070-764: Was part of the Funan and then Chenla Kingdoms. Between the 10th and 13th centuries it was part of the Khmer Empire . In 1354, the area came under the control of King Fa Ngum and the Lan Xang Empire. The Angkor empire went into decline between the 15th and 17th centuries when it was annexed by Lan Xang. In 1707, Champasak became one of three kingdoms arising from a dissolved Lan Xang Empire. The kingdom had only three kings, Soi Sisamut (1713–37), nephew of Suriya Vangas, Sainya Kuman (1737–91) and lastly Fai Na (1791–1811). In 1829 Siam annexed Champassak following

2116-635: Was the site of Laos's first railway, the Don Det – Don Khon narrow gauge railway on Don Det and Don Khon Islands. The region is also home to the Champasack University . During the third lunar month (February), celebrations at Angkor precede Champasack's traditional Wat Phou Festival at the site of ruins. The festival is noted for elephant racing, cockfighting, and cultural performances of traditional Lao music and dance. Salavan province Salavan (also Saravane , Lao : ສາລະວັນ )

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