GIA LAI

Area: 16,212 km2
Population: 971,920
Provincial capital: Pleiku City
Ethnic groups: Viet(Kinh) Gia Rai , Ba Na , Xo Dang, Gie Trieng...

Gia Lai is a mountainous province north of Tay Nguyen, 800m (2624 ft.) above sea level. Gia Lai has the tropical monsoon highland climate with two seasons: rain season and dry season.

Gia Lai is the source of many river systems that run to coastal areas and Cambodia. Gia Lai is also the home of many lakes, waterfalls, whirlpools, mountain passes, and pure forests that shape a magnificent, poetic beauty. Some of those are Kon Ka King and Kon Cha Rang tropical forest; Yaly; Xung Khoeng and Phu Cuong Falls; “Dream” boat harbor; immense and tranquil “Sea Lake” on the mountain; and Ham Rong Mount.

Based on the agricultural, forest, and mineral resource, there are favorable prospects for industries in construction materials and agricultural and wood processing on medium to large scale.

With the on the spot source of limestone. It is possible to set up a cement factory with a capacity of between 200.000 and 300,000 tons per year to serve the whole Northern Highland area and the northeastern provinces of Cambodia. The available quantity of granite abundant in color, can be processed for export.
The local clay is good enough for brick and tile kilns - with beating tunnels of medium scale to meet the increasing construction needs of the locality. The enormous capacity of wood guarantees the availability of materials within the province and wood imported from Cambodia and Laos is available in the long term for producing and processing woods and rattan and wicker goods. High quality consumer and industrial products are manufactured from latex. Coffee is processed for export. Also, there is ongoing processing of sugar cane, vegetable oil, manioc, and fruit and animal meat. Once location and capacity are confirmed, mine exploitation can take place along with development of local industries. In 1998, the construction industry increase is 14.5% and 2.28 % in 1999.