Model of rice-shrimp combination. Photo: Huynh Lam

Ca Mau is a delta, with interlacing rivers and canals, low and flat terrain, and frequently flooded. The average height of the terrain is from 0.5 to 1,5m above sea level. The direction of terrain is tilted gradually from north to south, from east to north-west. The local sunken areas of Thoi Binh, Ca Mau connected with Phuoc Long, Hong Dan, Gia Rai (Bac Lieu) under the central sunken area of Ca Mau Peninsula where has connection with terrain of ancient river bed. The sunken zones of U Minh, Tran Van Thoi are internal “hanging ones” where are restricted by natural dikes of the network of Ong Doc, Cai Tau, Trem River and Western coastal high egde. Those are stagnant of water all year round and become swamps. The land of Ca Mau is mostly young region, formed from silt and sediment accretion, accumulated over many years leading to the formation of very fertile land and advantageous for the development of aquaculture, rice, mangrove, brackish forest etc.

Ca Mau mangrove forests. Photo: Nguyen Thanh Dung.

The Eastern coast from Ganh Hao (Dam Doi District) to Rach Goc estuary (Ngoc Hien District) was eroded, even over 20 meters for some places every year. But Ca Mau alluvial ground has built up in surface from 50 to 80 meters every year.

Source: Director Board of Ca Mau monograph