A coup d'tat in 1960 in the Lao capital, Vientiane, deepened the country's political instability. Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. Vakulchuk, R., Chan, H.Y., Kresnawan, M.R., Merdekawati, M., Overland, I., Sagbakken, H.F., Suryadi, B., Utama, N.A. [140], Laos has made particularly noteworthy progress increasing access to sanitation. [76] As many as 200,000 Hmong went into exile in Thailand, with many ending up in the US. Pakse. A second Provisional Government of National Unity formed by Prince Souvanna Phouma in 1962 was unsuccessful, and the situation steadily deteriorated into large scale civil war between the Royal Laotian government and the Pathet Lao. Life expectancy 65 years (men), 68 years (women) Currency kip . [68] Laos also maintained a "special relationship" with Vietnam and formalised a 1977 treaty of friendship and cooperation that created tensions with China. Laos, landlocked country of northeast-central mainland Southeast Asia. [53] In 1979, there were 50,000 PAVN troops stationed in Laos and as many as 6,000 civilian Vietnamese officials including 1,000 directly attached to the ministries in Vientiane. Vientiane was a Khmer (remember Cambodia?) After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the communist Pathet Lao came to power, ending the civil war. [35] Anouvong was taken to Bangkok as a prisoner, where he died. Most of the population (63%) resides within . 500 BC - The Plain of Jars, one of the most important prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia, dates from between 500 BC and 500 AD. Fa Ngum's eldest son, Oun Heuan, ascended to the throne under the name Samsenethai and reigned for 43years. [95], Human rights violations remain a significant concern in Laos. A new province, Xaisomboun province , was established on 13 December 2013. Vientiane has been the capital since 16th century. Gently cut cilantro resting atop a raging furnace of flavor. Lao Theung constitute about 30% of the population. The stupa is open from 8am-4pm daily (with a one hour break from 12-1) and costs 5,000 kip to enter the inside. Major religion Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism has coexisted peacefully since its introduction to the country with the local polytheism. The land has a total area of 236,800 km (91,429 mi). In 1996 as the deadline for the closure of Thai refugee camps approached, and under mounting political pressure, the United States agreed to resettle Hmong refugees who passed a new screening process. Laos applied for membership of the World Trade Organization in 1997; on 2 February 2013, it was granted full membership. In 2010, one in every 11 jobs was in the tourism sector. Present-day Laos traces its historic and cultural identity to Lan Xang, which existed from the 13th century to the 18th century as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Em 2009, um antigo crnio foi encontrado em uma caverna nas montanhas Annamite, no norte do Laos. According to the World Bank data conducted in 2014, Laos has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets on water and sanitation regarding the UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme. [154] Healthy life expectancy was 54 years in 2007. What Is the Capital of Laos? The Lao subsequently established their own kingdom named the Lan Xang in 1354. Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the highest quality. Laos is a landlocked country located in the Indochinese Peninsula. Setthathirath became king in 1548, after his father was killed, and ordered the construction of what became the symbol of Laos, That Luang. It is bordered by Myanmar (used to be known in English as "Burma") and by China to the northwest, by Vietnam to the east, by Cambodia to the south and by . The first bullet train to serve the high-speed Laos-China railway sits in a rail station in the Lao capital Vientiane, Oct. 16, 2021. Foreign enterprises must report on their performance annually and submit annual financial statements to MPI. The small nation is bordered by China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Set at the point where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet, Luang Prabang stands in front of a backdrop of a magnificent hilltop temple. [139]:3940, In 2004 the net primary enrollment rate was 84%. [126] In addition, the country's plentiful water resources and mountainous terrain enable it to produce and export large quantities of hydroelectric energy. At the eve of the Vietnam War, the Secret War was beginning in Laos as political factions between communist Pathet Lao and the government occurred. Additionally, many elite and French-educated Lao immigrated to nations such as the United States and France to escape government persecution. The proto-historic period is characterised by contact with Chinese and Indian civilisations. 6, "Seventy Years of Anarchy", in. Trekking in Luang Namtha If you drive into town, you might not even realize when you're actually in the city proper, as Vientiane blends seamlessly with the countryside. Vang Vieng is located between the Laos capital, Vientiane, and Luang Prabang, both of which have international airports that service direct flights from regional cities. 1353 - Lan Xang (Million Elephants) Kingdom, founded in the 14th century by Fa Ngum. Sticky rice is generally preferred over jasmine rice, and sticky rice cultivation and production is thought to have originated in Laos. Its first railway line, a short 3-km long metre-gauge railway that connects southern Vientiane to Thailand, only opened in 2009. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. Collectively, they are known as Lao Soung or highland Laotians. There are two plateaux, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the Bolaven Plateau at the southern end. [13] Because of its central geographical location in Southeast Asia, the kingdom became a hub for overland trade and became wealthy economically and culturally. The politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population, mostly in the lowlands. Five of them were arrested and subsequently sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment on charges of treason. However, the latter is considered pejorative, meaning 'slave'. Vientiane has a total area of 3,920 square km and an average elevation of 174 m. The city experiences a tropical savanna climate. (Lao: , pronounced Loo-ang pah-bang and also spelled Louangphrabang, is the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city. [141] Laos's progress is notable in comparison to similar developing countries. [84] Following threats of forcible removal by the Thai government, the United States, in a significant victory for the Hmong, agreed to accept 15,000 of the refugees in 2003. For example, Article 8 makes it clear that Laos is a multinational state and is committed to equality between ethnic groups. Since July, 2021 the United States has shared 2,908,440 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of Laos - free of cost. It is produced by the Lao Brewery Company. Laos's first French-written and monarchical constitution was promulgated on 11 May 1947, and declared Laos an independent state within the French Union. The national carrier is Lao Airlines. [65] [48], Some 80million bombs failed to explode and remain scattered throughout the country, rendering vast swaths of land impossible to cultivate. The city is the home of the massive gilded stupa, Pha That Luang, a national symbol of Laos. From the river bank inland, the three main roads run parallel to the river, while the . Calculating U.S. At the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula, Laos is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. He later died under suspicious circumstances in a re-education camp. [89], The European Union,[90] UNHCHR, and international groups have since spoken out about the forced repatriation. [143], The term "Laotian" does not necessarily refer to the Lao language, ethnic Lao people, language or customs. [151] Of the 2,908,440 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. Authorities in Laos have reported a significant Covid-19 outbreak near the notorious Kings Romans casino, whose Chinese owner is accused by the United States of trafficking people, wildlife and drugs. [24], An ancient human skull was recovered in 2009 from the Tam Pa Ling Cave in the Annamite Mountains in northern Laos; the skull is at least 46,000 years old, making it the oldest modern human fossil found to date in Southeast Asia. [28], Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang ('million elephants'), which was founded in the 13th century by a Lao prince, Fa Ngum,[29]:223 whose father had his family exiled from the Khmer Empire. Great day in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Major festivals include Lao New Year celebrated around 1315 April and involves a water festival similar but more subdued than that of Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. [129], In 2018, the country ranked 139th on the Human Development Index (HDI), indicating medium development. Laos is divided into 17 provinces (khoueng) and one prefecture (kampheng nakhon), which includes the capital city Vientiane (Nakhon Louang Viangchan). Even the capital Vientiane feels like a relaxed riverfront town. Of the many beautiful Wats in Vientiane, a visit to Wat Sisaket is a must; built in 1818, this is one of the oldest temples in Vientiane. Between 1763 and 1769, Burmese armies overran northern Laos and annexed Luang Prabang, while Champasak eventually came under Siamese suzerainty. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a city steeped in legend and history. Vientiane suffered greatly during the conflict between the kingdom's army and Siamese forces in 1827. This sector has made significant contributions to the economic condition of Laos. Located on the Mekong River the city has 950,000 inhabitants. [19][20][21][22][23] In the Lao language, the country's name is Muang Lao () or Pathet Lao (), both of which literally mean 'Lao Country'. [178] Polygamy, however, is still customary among some Hmong people. [76], In 1989, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with the support of the US government, instituted the Comprehensive Plan of Action, a programme to stem the tide of Indochinese refugees from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The constitution and Family Code bar the legal recognition of polygamous marriages, stipulating that monogamy is the principal form of marriage in the country. Laos is a Lao speaking country that does not border with any sea. Life expectancy 65 years (men), 68 years (women) Currency kip . Residents of Laos' capital Vientiane on October 16 witnessed the arrival of the first passenger high-speed train running on the new Laos-China railway line which will, after some test runs, come into full operation in December . As a low-income country, Laos faces a brain-drain problem as many educated people migrate to developed countries. [164] One of the first commercial feature-length films was Sabaidee Luang Prabang, made in 2008. This tourist attraction still holds more than 10 thousand Buddha statues, large and small. Vientiane Capital is the home to the most significant . Choose our custom designed, flexible and unique Laos Tour Packages. Laos locked down its capital and closed its international borders to most traffic Thursday after identifying a COVID-19 cluster connected to its bigger neighbor Thailand. Travel over the land is hard. Vientiane, also spelled Viangchan, largest city and capital of Laos, situated on a plain just northeast of the Mekong River. US Representative Steve Gunderson, for instance, told a Hmong gathering: "I do not enjoy standing up and saying to my government that you are not telling the truth, but if that is necessary to defend truth and justice, I will do that. [145] The Lao belong to the Tai linguistic group[146] who began migrating south from China in the first millennium CE. The king then secretly sent Prince Kindavong to represent Laos to the Allied forces and Prince Sisavang as representative to the Japanese. Mountain/hill tribes of mixed ethno/cultural-linguistic heritage are found in northern Laos, which include the Lua and Khmu people who are indigenous to Laos. The close ties between Laos and Vietnam were formalised via a treaty signed in 1977, which has since provided direction for Lao foreign policy, and provides the basis for Vietnamese involvement at all levels of Lao political and economic life. Laos can be considered to consist of three geographical areas: north, central, and south. Biggest Cities In Laos Vientiane . Only 4% of the country is arable land and a mere 0.3% used as permanent crop land,[120] the lowest percentage in the Greater Mekong Subregion. ", Barclay, Adam and Shrestha, Samjhana (AprilJune 2006). This includes 1,900,440 Pfizer and 1,000,800 J&J doses. Other Hmong fighters hid out in mountains in Xiangkhouang Province for many years, with a remnant emerging from the jungle in 2003. Lao PDR: How to Attract More Investment in Small-Scale Renewable Energy? The capital of Laos is Vientiane, which was founded 13th century. Tuy nhin, cng ty ch giao dch c 216.678 c phiu theo phng thc tha thun do cha t k vng v gi. [19] In English, the 's' is pronounced, and not silent. Department of Statistics, Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2009. head to the ancient capital of Laos - Vientiane, soak in the countryside of Pakse, and play with mischievous dolphins in 4000 Islands. [74] Their Russian-built Antonov AN 74-300 with 20 people on board crashed in Xiangkhouang Province. Fa Ngum was born into the royal family in Muang Sua, the capital of a small state ruled by King Souvanna Khampong. The Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) began operations in 2011 with two stocks listed, both state-owned - the Banque Pour l'CommerceExterieur (BCEL), and the power generation arm of . ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) Policy Brief Series, No 7. These include the Presidential Palace and the National Assembly of Laos. Bangkok (AFP) - A new $6 billion Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos this week, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits . As of 2011[update], Nhn Dn ('The People') and the Xinhua News Agency are the only foreign media organisations permitted to open offices in Laosboth opened bureaus in Vientiane in 2011. Laos Local Tour Company offers Laos tours, tailor made vacation packages travel services. ", "Evaluation Synthesis of Rice in Lao PDR", "Starting an Asian Cinema: Laos Past and Present", "Good Good Morning, Luang Prabang and hello to Laos's film industry", "Q&A with director Kim Mordaunt (The Rocket)", "A tale of revenge in Laos challenges censors", "Fantastic Fest 2013 Review: Chanthaly is A Haunting Portrait of Modern Day Laos", "Laos Selects 'Dearest Sister' as First Foreign-Language Oscar Submission", "Cannes: Southeast Asia Is Ready for Its Big-Screen Close-up", "Laos: Crony scheme in control of press and civil society", "Social Discrimination in the Lao People's Democratic Republic", "Muay Lao, the forgotten art of kickboxing", "Laos Stumbles on Path to Sporting Glory", Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEANRepublic of Korea Commemorative Summit, Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, ASEANAustralia Development Cooperation Program, Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Assemble parlementaire de la Francophonie, Agence de Coopration Culturelle et Technique, Prix des cinq continents de la francophonie, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laos&oldid=1142166912, French-speaking countries and territories, Member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, States and territories established in 1949, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Articles with failed verification from January 2021, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Pages using infobox country or infobox former country with the symbol caption or type parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Articles containing potentially dated statements from March 2021, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2011, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2021, Pages using Sister project links with wikidata mismatch, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:55. 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