Except for a few fertile pockets, the terrain is too rocky for serious agriculture.
Hence most residents earn their living from the sea, while others cater to the tourist trade.
Roughly 13,000 inhabitants live on the island and 4,000 more live on floating fishing villages off the coast.
Most of the coastline consists of rocky cliffs.
but there are a few sandy beaches hidden away in small coves.
For all of its natural beauty, Cat Ba Island faces numerous environmental problems going forward.
