Koh Kong (island)
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Native name: កោះកុង | |
|---|---|
 Beach on Koh Kong island | |
  Koh Kong | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Cambodia - Southeast Asia |
| Coordinates | 11°20′N 103°0′E / 11.333°N 103.000°E |
| Area | 100 km2 (39 sq mi) |
| Length | 19.5 km (12.12 mi) |
| Width | 5.1–7.2 km (3.2–4.5 mi) |
| Coastline | 53 km (32.9 mi) |
| Highest point | 360 meters (1,181ft) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Koh Kong |
| Demographics | |
| Ethnic groups | Khmer, Vietnamese[1] |
Koh Kong (Khmer: កោះកុង), or Outer Koh Kong (Khmer: កោះកុងក្រៅ), is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, in the coastal waters of Cambodia, around 10 km (6 mi) south of Koh Kong town, as it is part of Koh Kong Province. It is Cambodia's largest island.
The center of Koh Kong Island (Khmer: កោះកុង; Kaôh Kŏng Krau) is situated around 20 km (12 mi) south-west of Koh Kong town. The island stretches 19.5 km (12 mi) from North to South and 6 km (4 mi) from East to West on average. The strait Passe de Lămdăm that separates the island from the mainland in the north is less than 500 m (1,640 ft) wide.[2][3] The island's southern tip lies less than 4 km (2 mi) off the mainland, the narrow strait is the gateway to the Bay of Koh Kong (Chhak Kaoh Kong) in the East, which occupies an area of around 135 km2 (52 sq mi).[4]
The only settlements are small fishing villages, Alatang on the south-east corner, Phumi Koh Kong on the west coast and Phumi Thmei (Khmer for new village) on the eastern coast. The interior is rather hilly - the highest peak in the north rising up to 360 m (1,181 ft), rugged rock formations create many waterfalls. Rivers that drain the mountains end in freshwater estuaries and countless lagoons, which are flanked by scenic beaches.[5]
Sleeping
The north end is controlled by the military, camping is allowed at your own risk on the 5th and 6th beaches and also at the military post in the village of Alatang.
Wildlife
Koh Kong Island is in the much larger Cardamom Rainforest Ecozone, and the island is covered in evergreen tropical rainforest, fed by the annual monsoon from the Gulf of Thailand. Mangroves cover some of the coastal areas and estuaries.
The island is home to a number of mammals such as macaques, wild boar and indigenous squirrels, bird, such as hornbills, mynah and small Psittaciformes. The entire eco-region of Koh Kong remains in a relatively original state and is home to a great variety of reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates, fungi and plants.[6][7] Large areas of Koh Kong's eastern coast and the Bay of Koh Kong are engulfed in extensive mangrove forests, the basis for various aquatic and marine species.[8] The giant moth Attacus atlas can be found on the island.[9]