Phu Quoc
Island
Phu Quoc (known as Koh Tral by Cambodians) is the largest
island of Vietnam. Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, the
island is part of Kien Giang province. The district of Phu
Quoc includes the island proper and 21 smaller islets. The
district seat, Duong Dong, which is located on the west
coast, is also the largest town on this island, whose
total area is 574 km².
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc island lies 62
nautical miles (115 km) from Rach Gia, 15 kilometres (8.1
nmi) from Kampot province of Cambodia, and nearly 290
nautical miles (540 km) from Laem Chabang, Thailand.
Roughly triangular in shape the island is 50 km long north
to south and 25 km east to west in the north at its
widest.
A mountainous ridge of "99 peaks" runs the length of Phu
Quoc with Chua Mountain (603 m) being the tallest.
The island's monsoonal sub-equatorial climate is
characterized by distinct rainy (June to November) and dry
seasons (December to May). The annual rainfall is high
averaging 2,879 mm. In the northern mountains up to 4,000
mm have been recorded. April and May are the hottest
months with temperature reaching 35 °C.
Phu Quoc is famous for its two traditional products: fish
sauce and black pepper. The rich fishing grounds offshore
provides the anchovy catch from which the prized sauce is
made. Pepper cultivation is located inland in the center
of the island. More recently a pearl farm was established.
Tourism plays an important part of the economy with the
beaches being the main attraction.
Phu Quoc is served by
Phu Quoc Airport with air links to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)'s
Tan Son Nhat Airport and Rach Gia's Rach Gia Airport.
Plans are in progress for a new international airport for
the island. Phu Quoc is also linked with Rach Gia and Ha
Tien by fast ferry hydrofoils.
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