Champasack, Lao PDR

The Champasack region is rich in biodiversity.  Much of the region is covered in forests.  Streams dissect the area as they drain the higher elevation into the Mekong River.

	The Champasack region of the Lao PDR consists of two types of areas.  One the the Mekong River plain and the other the mountains of the Annamite Range. The wetness of the region varies with less than 2000 mm of annual rainfall in the lower elevations to more than 3000 mm in some places in the mountains.

This website provides a brief overview of the region.

The border between Thailand and Lao PDR has a new, and very modern, station on the Thailand side.	The market at the border has brisk trading with a lot of goods coming into Thailand from the Lao PDR side.
People bargain for handicrafts and other goods that have been brought great distances to this small center of commerce.	The Lao PDR side of the border has less commerce and many people waiting with goods that they want carried across the border.
Vendors have a wide variety of goods for sale.	This woman is selling medicinal plants.  Here she is telling her client about a particular treatment.
Transportation is by truck with space for the passengers in the back.	As you leave the border you can see the mountains.
Village houses show a  full complement of plant products.  Some have been used to construct the house.  Others are being prepared for sale.	Coffee is a locally-produced commodity.  Here the beans are drying in a backyard exclosure.

Links: More views of the Champasack