The Lao People's Democratic Republic, known locally as Muang Lao, or internationally as Laos, is situated in the Indochinese peninsula of Mainland Southeast Asia. Surrounding countries include Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Throughout the history of the country, Laos has been heavily under the influence of its more powerful neighbors, such as Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its independence from the French, in fact, was aided by the Cambodian Khmer.
Before its borders were set by the British, Chinese, French, and Siamese, Laos was made up of unaffiliated warring states. Its first fling with nationhood took place in the 1300s when Fa Ngum, with the assistance of 10,000 Khmer troops, invaded and took control of Vientiane, which became the capital of Laos. Known as the Lan Xang kingdom, he established Theravada Buddhism as the state religion, and soon expanded eastward to Vietnam. By the 17th century, Lan Xang was the dominant power in Southeast Asia.
However, in the late 1600s, Lan Xang was divided into three parts and, in the late 1700s, Burmese troops annexed a portion of the territory, while the Siamese took control of the remainder, including its capital city. In the late 1800s, the region became a protectorate of France, and a unified Laos was created, again with Vientiane as its capital.
A nationalist movement began in Laos after the occupying Japanese left after World War II, and France granted sovereignty to Laos in 1953.
During the Vietnam War, Laos declared itself a neutral state, and did not allow entry by Vietnamese or American forces. Nevertheless, CIA operatives crossed the border to secretly train anticommunist fighters in the jungles and, later in the war, the United States began a campaign of carpet bombing eastern and northeastern Laos, which increased popular support for the communists in Laos. Within a couple of years of the American withdrawal in 1973, the communists had taken over the government of Laos, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic was created.
The Laotian economy is heavily dependent on trade with China, Thailand, and Vietnam, with China as the largest investor in the Laotian economy. Laos is still heavily dependent upon foreign aid, but its eco-tourism industry is growing, including increasing numbers of visitors from Western countries.
Laos is made up of more than a hundred ethnic groups, the majority having much in common with their Thai neighbors. As Laos is a mountainous country, major Laotian ethnicities are grouped according to their altitude, such as the lowland people, midland people, and highland people. The official language of Laos is Lao, although only about half of the population is fluent in Lao, the remainder speaking ethnic minority languages. French is frequently used in government and in business.
More than 60% of Laotians adhere to Theravada Buddhism. Less than 2% are Christian, with the remainder of the population practicing a number of traditional religions, or none at all. Despite its communist government, Theravada Buddhism has a strong influence on the culture of the Laotian people, and is reflected in the Lao language, as well as in Laotian art, literature, and performing arts.
The Lao People's Democratic Republic is one of the few countries in the world that openly espouses communism. The Lao People's Revolutionary Party is the only legal political party in Laos. Elections have been disputed, and a Hmong insurgency remains active within the country, both politically and militarily.
International monitoring groups have accused the Laotian government of violations of human rights and religious freedoms, including genocide against the country's Hmong ethnic minority. About 200,000 Laotian Hmong are in exile in Thailand and the United States, and it is believed that Hmong fighters may still be hidden in the mountains. The Laotian government has agreed to repatriate the Lao refugees living in Thailand, including the Hmong, but few have been willing to return.
Although Laos has its closest relationships with its neighbors, it has recently improved or expanded its relations with Australia, France, Japan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States. It is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and has applied to join the World Trade Organization.
Topics related to Laos, or to any businesses, organizations, schools, religious institutions, and individuals situated in Laos. Sites hosted outside of Laos may be listed here as well, if their chief topic is Laotian.
Recommended Resources
The national airline of Laos is headquartered in the capital city of Vientiane, operating out of Wattay International Airport, from where it operates international and domestic air passenger services, largely within Asia. A route map, fleet information, baggage policies, and an aircraft layout are set forth, along with information about what to do before a flight, as well as other tips. Flights may be booked online.
http://www.laoairlines.com/
The intention of the site is to present photos and descriptions of Lao culture, lifestyle, cuisine, travel, and other information about the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Topics include Laotian history, politics, economy, geography, culture, and demographics, with an introduction to its provinces, recipes and other information about Lao cuisine, as well as a travel guide and basic facts about the country.
http://laovoices.com/
Producing products such as yogurt, cheese, and ice cream for local and international customers, the company rents buffalo from people in villages in and adjacent to the Laotian province of Luang Prabang, providing them a steady income. Its program is defined here, its team and business partners are introduced, and photos and an overview of its products are set forth. A blog is included.
http://www.laosbuffalodairy.com/
Offering news from Laos and the Southeast Asia region, as well as international headlines, business and finance reports, information about foreign exchange rates, and other content, the site is Australian owned and hosted in Bahrain. Other content includes news polls, optional daily emails of categories of a reader’s choice, RSS feeds, and an introduction to its network of news sites.
http://www.laosnews.net/
Lao Pic is a photo site that displays pictures taken by professional photographers and amateurs, the focus on Laotian people, Laotian landscapes, Laotian cuisine, Laotian villages and cities, action photos, or other photos taken in Laos. Laotian viewers are invited to submit their own photos for consideration for inclusion. Photos are organized by topic or location, and requests to use photos may be submitted through the site.
http://viajelaos.com/
Headquartered in Luang Prabang, Laos, the travel agency has seven offices in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, which are acknowledged here, with addresses and contacts. Several packaged tours to destinations in Laos and in Indochina are highlighted, with details, photographs, and prices, along with information about customized tours, flights, hotels, and promotional offers.
https://laostravel.com/
Maintained by the Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the travel and tourism site offers a profile of the Luang Prabang Province of Laos, including governmental services, its cultural diversity, and Buddhist heritage. Recommended trips are highlighted, and a travel guide offers essential information about traveling or within the province. Attractions and events are put forward.
http://tourismluangprabang.org/
The Department of Immigration of Lao PDR
A department of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Department of Immigration and Labor is responsible for immigration matters in Laos, including the maintenance of checkpoints, the issuing of travel visas and visa extensions, and other services and information, such as the requirements for working or investing in Laos, its application processes, and a list of border checkpoints are supplied.
http://www.immigration.gov.la/
Created and maintained by the Tourism Marketing Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the site offers statistics on tourism in Laos, a history and profile of the country, and a guide to activities, attractions, destinations, festivals and events. A trip planning guide includes suggestions on places to stay or to eat, travel and transport options, passport and visa information, and other tips.
http://www.tourismlaos.org/
The daily English-language newspaper is published in Vientiane, Laos. Its content is available in PDF format, but it requires a subscription. Six recent issues are available in an archive. A smartphone app is also available, Without a subscription, videos, weather reports, and general information about the newspaper are featured, along with travel information, advertising, and headline news.
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/
Compiled by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, the website features a map showing the location of Laos and its most significant localities, as well as an image of its flag, some photographs, and an introduction to Laos. Other topics include its geographical features, people, society, culture, and religion, as well as the Laotian government, its energy resources, communications systems, and international relations.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/la.html
