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Ratanakiri became a Cambodian Province in 1960, during the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk. The capital city, Banlung, is in the highlands on National Road No.19. The name Banlung actually refers to the District, while the town is known as Labansiek. The population is 94,243, and the land area is 11,052 square kilometers. It is o¬n the northeastern plateau, 636km from Phnom Penh, and is bordered by Vietnam to the east, Lao PDR to the north, Steung Treng Province to the west, and Mondulkiri Province to the south. There are two rivers crossing the province: the Sre Pok and the Sre San. Ratanakiri is so sparsely populated that the provincial capital does not have an adequate market. In mineral wealth, Ratanakiri boast gold, gemstones, granite. Fertile red soil, water sources, wildlife, the weather and the scenery are some of its assets.

The density of the forest varies from area to area, with near impenetrable forest in the north. There are drier, sparser forests in the southwest. Soil types range from rich volcanic earth in the hills to sandier soil near the rivers. With its beautiful landscape and still abundant wildlife, Ratanakiri Province offers wonderful opportunities for Eco-tourism.
Ratanakiri Province has a climate like other areas of the country.

There are 3 seasons:

+ Rainy season: June - October.
+ Cool season : November - February
+ Hot season : March - May.
Temperatures range from 20o-32oc.
Ethnic Minorities:

There are 8 different hill tribe ethnic groups:

1. Tumpoun 24.13 %
2. Kreung 18.89 %
3. Kavet 2.65 %
4. Kachok 2.65 %
5. Charay 19.47%
6. Prou 7.54%
7. Phnong 0.24%
8. Lun 0.20%
Total 75.77 %

- Remaining percent are ethnic Khmer. The ethnic or tribal people live in small, isolated villages in the hills and mountains.

They make their living through traditional cultivation and harvesting directly linked to the seasons. Hunting, fishing and collecting fruits also form part of their livelihood. These people survive because of their knowledge of the forest in which they live. This knowledge can seem unnatural to the visitor, yet it comes from years of understanding and respecting an environment in which most of us could not survive.

TRAVEL TO & FROM

Air: Flights to Banlung from Phnom Penh leave several times a week, and most flights go via Mondulkiri or Stung Treng. President Airlines has three flights a week. The trip takes approximately one hour. Fares are $55 one-way, $100 roundtrip.

Bus / Car: You can take a bus from Phnom Penh to Kratie and stay overnight. Then continue by car to Ratanakiri the next morning. You can go
directly to Ratanakiri by car, but you will arrive very late at night.

Boat: Boats run between Phnom Penh and Stung Treng (R60,000, 10 hours). The road between Stung Treng and Banlung is bad, but pick-ups make the journey in 7-9 hours, and cost R30,000 (inside), and R20,000 (outside).
There is no road linking Ratanakiri to Mondulkiri to the south. There is a road as far as Lumphat, but once you get across the Tonle Srepok, you are on a series of sandy ox-cart tracks until Koh Nhek, about 80km south in northern Mondulkiri Province.

COMMUNICATION

The post office is on the road to Bokheo, and has international telephone connections, but no internet facilities.

BANKING

There are no banks in Banlung, but you can change US dollars into Riel at the jewelers in the market. It is probably best to bring all the money you need with you, and a good amount of it in Riel.

SHOPPING

Shopping starts and ends at the Banlung market. Bargains can be found on intricate stone and wood arvings, gemstones and a wide variety of goods. Many items are brought by hill tribes: baskets, crossbows, gourds, bracelets, necklaces, clothes and pipes. The market makes for an interesting, and very colorful outing.