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Capital city |
Can Tho |
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Population |
1.1 Mio. (2006) |
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Population density |
819 inhabitants/km2 |
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Area |
1,401 km2 |
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Average temperature |
27° C |
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Average humidity |
83 % |
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Average yearly precipitation |
1,747 mm |
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Industry |
Food processing (agriculture and aquaculture products) |
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Agriculture |
Rice, soybean, sesame, vegetables, fruits, coffee, coconut |
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Land use |
81 % agriculture
19 % other |
Geography
Can Tho City in the center of the Mekong Delta is located 135 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The total area of Can Tho is 1401 km² and it is divided into four urban districts (Ninh Kieu, O Mon, Binh Thuy, and Cai Rang) and four mainly rural districts (Thot Not, Vinh Thanh, Co Do and Phong Dien) (Statistical Office of Can Tho City, 2004). Can Tho is situated in the Hau River watershed, which is the southeast distributary of the Mekong River.
Climate
The climate in the Mekong Delta is strongly influenced by the tropical monsoon. There are two seasons per year: a rainy season (May until November) and a dry season (December until April). The average precipitation amounts to 1,747 mm. About 90 - 94 % of total precipitation is deposited in the rainy season.
Average precipitation and temperature in 1993 (records of the climate station Can Tho)
Landscape Classification
Can Tho is located 60 km northwest of the South China Sea and 40 km east of the Thai Gulf. The soils in this area can be characterized as mainly alluvial from the Holocene with a high amount of silt. These soils therefore provide very good conditions for a highly productive agriculture and intensive land use. Can Tho is served by many rivers and canals. This network is mainly of anthropogenic origin and used for transportation (figure 2).
Agriculture
The Mekong Delta is dominated by agricultural land use. About 50 % of national rice production is generated in the Mekong Delta. About 84 % of the area in Can Tho is used for agriculture, more than 90 % of it for rice production (figure 3). Rice is harvested up to three times per year. With a demand of 1,000 million cubic meters per year for irrigation, agriculture is the most important water consumer compared to the direct water supply of 40 million cubic meters per year for people and industry.
Aquaculture and animal husbandry
Besides plant production, aquaculture and animal husbandry have become more and more important. About 67 % of all farmers are involved in animal husbandry. Agricultural wastewater treatment for animal excrement does not exist and is not considered in the governmental master plan for communal and industrial water supply and wastewater treatment. The lack of agricultural wastewater treatment and the increase of animal husbandry and aquaculture cause a high pollution potential in terms organic pollution and nutrients entering rivers and channels in Can Tho province.
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