Contents: Parts: I - Overview. II - Natural geography. Position. Boundaries & area. Relief. General characteristics. Geology & minerals. Tectonic history. Climate. Soil. Natural resources. Rivers. Underground water. Fauna & flora. Geographical sub-regions. III - Administrative geography. Administrative changes and governing system before August, 1945. Administrative units & governing bodies after the year of 1945. Population & ethnic communities. Family clan. Population's distribution & density. IV - Defense - security & political system. V - History. Nation-building tradition. Prehistoric period. Feudal period. French colonialism period. Periods of Resistance against French colonialism ( 1945 - 54 ) and of Resistance against American war ( 1954 - 1975 ). The first, second & third five-year plans. VI - Economy. Expansion history. Agrarian ownership. Farming. Husbandry. Poultry. Fisheries. Irrigation work. Forestry. Industry & handicrafts. Weaving & knitting. Trade & marketplaces. Transportation. VII - Socio-cultural development. Folk literature & singings. Folk verse, Idioms & proverbs and sayings. Folk music. Folk customs & habits. Marriage & wedding. Giving birth. Funeral rituals & rites. Festivals & festivities. Education. Health care. Sports. Landscapes. Historical relics, vestiges & sites.