Phongsali Province occupies an area of 16,270 square kilometres and has a total population of 167,181 people (2005 census). It comprises seven districts - Muang Gnot Ou, Muang Bounxai, Muang Phongsali, Muang Bun Neua, Muang Samphan, Muang Mai and Muang Khoa. In addition to the majority Lao population, Austro-Thai speakers are represented here by Lu (Tai-Kadai/Tay-Thai/South Western Tay-Thai/Lao-Lu), Tai Daeng, Tai Dam and Tai Khao (Tai-Kadai/Tay-Thai/South Western Tay-Thai/Tai), Giay (Tai-Kadai/Tay-Thai/Northern Tay-Thai) and Hmong and Yao (Hmong-Mien); Austro-Asiatic speakers by Khmu (Mon-Khmer/Khmuic) and Bid and Keu (Palaungic); and Sino-Tibetan speakers by Haw (Han) and Akha, Ha Nhi, Kado, Lolo, Phunoi, Poussang and Sila (Lolo-Burmish). The province is located in the most remote part of northern Laos, surrounded on three sides by China and Việt Nam. It incorporates the Phu Den Din National Biodiversity Conservation Area which lies along the Vietnamese border, with mountains as high as 1,950 metres and over 70% forest cover, Phu Den Din is home to Asiatic black bear, bantang, clouded leopard, elephant, guar and tiger.