Luang Namtha Province
Luang Namtha is a mountainous province, located in northwestern Laos bordering Myanmar and China with 5 districts (Namtha, Muang Sing, Vieng Phoukha, Muang Long and Nalea) and a total land area of 9,325 square kilometers. The population in 2005 was about 152,285 people or some 16 people per square kilometer.
Most people in Luang Namtha live in small rural villages and practice agriculture as their main occupation. There are over 23 ethnic minority groups in the province, making it perhaps the most ethnically diverse place in the entire country.
Covering nearly 30% of the province's land area, the Nam Ha National Protected Area is well known for a range of ecotourism activities. Due to its mountainous terrain, theweather can get quite cool, with temperature generally not topping 30 degree celsius in the hot season (March - April) and dropping to as low as 0 degree celsius in December - January. During May - October, the southwestern monsoon brings the annual rains and marks the beginning of the new agricultural cycle.
