Laos
The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, known for its mountainous landscape, Mekong River, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is a country in Mainland Southeast Asia, and the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. Laos has a population of more than 7.5 million, and its capital and most populous city is Vientiane. It has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the town of Luang Prabang, the temple complex of Vat Phou, and the Plain of Jars. Laos participates in the Greater Mekong Subregion economic cooperation programme and is a member of ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, East Asia Summit, La Francophonie, and the World Trade Organization.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Languages
- Lao
- Currency
- Lao kip
- Religion predominance
- Theravada Buddhism
- Geographic feature
- Landlocked in Southeast Asia
Lore & Background
The kingdom of Lan Xang existed from the 14th to 18th centuries and was a hub for overland trade through its territory. In 1707 it split into three kingdoms: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak. In 1893, these kingdoms were unified under French rule as part of French Indochina. Laos was under Japanese administration during World War II, gaining independence in 1945 before returning to French administration until achieving autonomy in 1949. It regained full independence in 1953 as the Kingdom of Laos, with a constitutional monarchy under Sisavang Vong. A civil war from 1959 to 1975 saw the communist Pathet Lao (supported by China, North Vietnam, and the Soviet Union) oppose the Royal Lao Armed Forces (backed by the United States). It ended with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party's establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975.
Reader's Guide
Laos is divided into 17 provinces and one prefecture, which includes the capital city Vientiane. The climate is mostly tropical savanna and influenced by the monsoon pattern, with a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. The country is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, with a forested landscape consisting mostly of mountains, the highest of which is Phou Bia at 2,818 metres, and some plains and plateaus. The Mekong River forms part of the western boundary with Thailand. National parks like Nam Et-Phou Louey and Nakai-Nam Theun support endangered species such as the northern white-cheeked gibbon and the saola.
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