Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam
#GS-1 #Geography #Physical Geography #GS-3 #Current Events #International #Phu Quoc Island #Vietnam
Why in News
- A speedboat carrying passengers capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, resulting in multiple casualties among Indian tourists.
Overview and Location
- People often call Phu Quoc as the "Pearl Island". It is the largest island in Vietnam and attracts visitors with white sand beaches, clear waters, dense forests, and luxury resorts.
- The island sits very close to Cambodia, but it belongs entirely to Vietnam. It covers 574 square kilometres, extends 50 kilometres from north to south, and sits at the heart of an archipelago of 22 islands.
Natural Environment
- Phu Quoc features over 150 kilometres of coastline along with mountain ranges reaching heights up to 630 metres, evergreen forests, waterfalls, caves, and rock pools.
- Authorities have protected more than half of the island under a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation since 2006.
Economy and Local Products
- Fishing and farming continue to drive the local economy, while the island enjoys world fame for producing fish sauce, black pepper, and pearls.
Religious Heritage
- The island houses Cao Dai temples representing Caodaism, which is a Vietnamese religion that blends elements from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.