Discover

'Laos' (IPA: ), officially the 'Lao People's Democratic Republic', is a landlocked communist state in southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (Burma) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west. Laos traces its history to the Kingdom of Lan Xang or ''Land of a Million Elephants'', which existed from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century. After a period as a French protectorate, it gained independence in 1949. A long civil war ended when the communist Pathet Lao came to power in 1975.
Private enterprise has increased since the mid-1980s. Laos has been ranked among the lowest countries in terms of economic and political freedom.^[1] Despite this, the economy of Laos grew at 7.2% in 2006,^[2] 35th fastest in the world. 80% of the employed practice subsistence agriculture.^[3] The country's ethnic make-up is diverse, with around 70% belonging to the largest ethnic group, the Lao.^[4]

Contents

Terminology

History

Administrative divisions

Geography

Economy

Demographics

Culture

Media

International rankings

See also

Notes and references

External links

Terminology

In the Lao language, the country's name is "Muang Lao". The Imperial French, who made the country part of French Indochina in 1893, spelled it with a final "s", i.e. "Laos". The usual adjectival form is "Lao", i.e. "the Lao economy", not the "Laotian' economy; although 'Laotian" used to describe the people of Muang Laos to avoid confusion with the Lao ethnic group.

History

Main articles: History of Laos

Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang, founded in the fourteenth century, which lasted until the eighteenth century, when Siam invaded and assumed control of the separate principalities that remained. To avoid a costly war with the French, the Siamese king ceded lands now known as Laos to them, and these were incorporated into French Indochina in 1893. The French saw Laos as a useful buffer state between the two expanding empires of France and Britain. Under the French, the capital (Vieng Chan) was changed to Vientiane. Following a brief Japanese occupation during World War II, the country declared its independence in 1945, but the French re-asserted their control and only in 1950 was Laos granted semi-autonomy as an "associated state" within the French Union. Moreover, the French remained in ''de facto'' control until 1954, when Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy. Under a special exemption to the Geneva Convention, a French military training mission continued to support the Royal Laos Army. In 1955, the U.S. Department of Defense created a special Programs Evaluation Office to replace French support of the Royal Laos Army against the communist Pathet Lao as part of the U.S. containment policy.
Political unrest in neighboring Vietnam dragged Laos into the Second Indochina War (see also Secret War and Vietnam War), a destabilizing factor that contributed to civil war and several coups d'état. The North Vietnamese Army invaded and occupied portions of eastern Laos. The North Vietnamese army, with its heavy weapons including heavy artillery and tanks was the real power behind the Pathet Lao insurgency. In 1968, the North Vietnamese Army launched a multi-division attack against the Royal Lao Army. The attack resulted in the army largely demobilizing and leaving the conflict to irregular forces raised by the United States and Thailand.
Massive aerial bombardment by the United States followed as it attempted to eliminate North Vietnamese bases in Laos in order to disrupt supply lines on the Trường Sơn Trail (known to Americans as the Hồ Chí Minh Trail). Between 1971 and 1973 the USAAF dropped more ordinance on Laos than was dropped worldwide during the war of 1939-1945. In total more than 2 million tonnes of bombs were dropped (almost 1/2 a tonne per head of population at the time), destroying the country's limited infrastructure and restricting much of its population to living in caves. ^[5][6]

In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao, backed by the Soviet Union and the North Vietnamese Army (justified by the communist ideology of "proletarian internationalism"), overthrew the royalist government, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate on December 2 1975. He later died in captivity.
After taking control of the country, Pathet Lao's government renamed the country as the "Lao People's Democratic Republic" and signed agreements giving Vietnam the right to station military forces and to appoint advisers to assist in overseeing the country. Laos was ordered in the late 1970s by Vietnam to end relations with the People's Republic of China which cut the country off from trade with any country but Vietnam. Control by Vietnam and socialization were slowly replaced by a relaxation of economic restrictions in the 1980s and admission into ASEAN in 1997. Nonetheless, Vietnam still wields political and economic influence in Laos.
In 2005, the United States established Normal Trade Relations with Laos, ending a protracted period of punitive import taxes.^[7]

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Provinces of Laos, Districts of Laos

Laos is divided into sixteen provinces (''kang''), one municipality (''kumpang nakon'') and one "special zone" (''khetphiset''):

1. Attapu
2. Bokeo
3. Bolikhamxai
4. Champasak
5. Houaphan
6. Khammouan
7. Loung Namtha
8. Louangphabang
9. Oudomxai
10. Phongsali
11. Salavan
12. Savannakhet
13. Vientiane Prefecture with Vientiane Capital
14. Vientiane Province
15. Xaignabouli
16. Xaisomboun (special zone)
17. Xekong
18. Xiangkhoang

The country is further divided into districts (''muang'').

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Laos

Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia and the thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is Phou Bia at 9,242 feet (2,817 m), with some plains and plateaus. The Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, whereas the mountains of the Annamite Chain form most of the eastern border with Vietnam.
The climate is tropical and characterised by monsoons. There is a distinct rainy season from May to November, followed by a dry season from December to April. The capital and largest city of Laos is Vientiane, and other major cities include Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Pakse.
In 1993, the government set aside 21% of the nation's land area as National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBCA), which may be developed into a national park system. If completed, it is expected to be the most comprehensive and one of the finest national park systems in Southeast Asia.
Laos is the home to some of the most spectacular animal species in the world, most notably the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur, and the Asiatic elephant. A number of animal species have been discovered or re-discovered in Laos in recent years. These include the striped or Annamite rabbit, the saola, and most recently the Laotian rock rat or ''kha-nyou''.
The country is one of four in the heroin-producing region known as the "Golden Triangle".

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Laos

The government of Laos – one of the few remaining official communist states – began decentralising control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking: growth averaged 6% in 1988-2004 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. As in many developing countries, the major urban centers have experienced the most growth. The economies of Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet in particular have experienced significant booms in recent years. Laos' economy is heavily dependent on investment and trade with its larger and richer cousin, Thailand. Pakxe has also experienced growth.
Much of the country, however, lacks adequate infrastructure. Laos has no railways, although a short link is planned to connect Vientiane with Thailand over the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The major roads connecting the major urban centres, mainly forming Route 13, have been significantly upgraded in recent years, but villages that are far from major roads are accessible only through unpaved roads that may not be accessible year-round. There is limited external and internal telecommunication, particularly of the wire line sort, but mobile cellular phone usage has become widespread in urban centres. In many rural areas electricity is either not available or offered only during scheduled periods.

Subsistence agriculture still accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. Laos has the lowest percentage of arable land and permanent crop land in the Greater Mekong Subregion.^[8] Only 4.01% of Laos is arable land, and only 0.34% of the country is planted with permanent crops.^[9] Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80% of the arable land area used for growing rice.^[10] Approximately 77% of Lao farm households are self-sufficient in rice.^[11] Through the development, release and widespread adoption of improved rice varieties; and through economic reforms, Lao PDR achieved a net balance of rice imports and exports for the first time in 1999.^[12] Between 1990 and 2005, rice production increased from 1.5 million tons to 2.5 million tons [1][2]; an average annual growth rate of more than 5%.^[13] This increase in production has been valued at $8 million to $19 million per year. Lao PDR may have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Since 1995 the Lao government has been working with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to collect seed samples of each of the thousands of rice varieties found in Laos.^[14]
The economy receives aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food-processing and mining, most notably of copper and gold. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the country. However, economic development in general is hampered by a serious case of brain drain. A 2005 World Bank study reported that 37% of educated Laotians lived abroad, putting the country in fifth place for worst brain drain.
In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on their exports; this may help spur growth.

Demographics

A street market in Luang Prabang.

Main articles: Demographics of Laos

69% of the country's people are ethnic Lao, the principal lowland inhabitants and the politically and culturally dominant group. The Lao belong to the Tai linguistic group who began migrating southward from China in the first millennium AD. A further 8% belong to other "lowland" groups, which together with the Lao people make up the Lao Loum. Hill people and minority cultures of Laos such as the Hmong (Miao), Yao (Mien), Tai dumm, Dao, Shan, and several Tibeto-Burman speaking peoples have lived in isolated regions of Laos for many years. Mountain/hill tribes of mixed ethno/cultural-linguistic heritage are found in northern Laos which include the Lua (Lua) and Khammu people who are indigenous to Laos. Today, the Lua people are considered endangered. Collectively, they are known as Lao Soung or highland Laotians. In the central and southern mountains, Mon-Khmer tribes, known as Lao Theung or mid-slope Laotians, predominate. Some Vietnamese and Chinese minorities remain, particularly in the towns, but many left in two waves; after independence in the late 1940s and again after 1975.
The term "Laotian" does not necessarily refer to the ethnic Lao language, ethnic Lao people, language or customs, but is a political term that also includes the non-ethnic Lao groups within Laos and identifies them as "Laotian" because of their political citizenship. In a similar vein the word "Lao" can also describe the people, cuisine, language and culture of the people of Northeast Thailand (Isan) who are ethnic Lao.
The predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism which, along with the common Animism practiced among the mountain tribes, coexists peacefully with spirit worship. There also are a small number of Christians, mostly restricted to the Vientiane area, and Muslims, mostly restricted to the Myanmar border region. Christian missionary work is regulated by the government.
The official and dominant language is Lao, a tonal language of the Tai linguistic group. Midslope and highland Lao speak an assortment of tribal languages. French, still common in government and commerce, has declined in usage, while knowledge of English, the language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has increased in recent years.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Laos

Wat Ho Pra Keo, Vientiane.

Theravada Buddhism is a dominant influence in Lao culture. It is reflected throughout the country from language to the temple and in art, literature, performing arts, etc. Many elements of Lao culture predate Buddhism, however. For example, Laotian music is dominated by its national instrument, the khaen, a type of bamboo pipe that has prehistoric origins. The khaen traditionally accompanied the singer in ''lam'', the dominant style of folk music. Among the various ''lam'' styles, the ''lam saravane'' is probably the most popular.
The country has two World Heritage Sites: Luang Prabang and Wat Phou. The government is seeking the same status for the Plain of Jars.

Buddha Park, near Vientiane along the "Mighty Mekong"

The People's Republic of China has recently allowed its citizens to travel more freely to Laos. As such, Chinese tourists are expected to account for 25% of the total number of visitors to Laos (up from only a few percent) in 2006. Pressures to modernize tourist infrastructure, particularly to cater to package tourism, are expected to significantly impact Luang Prabang and other culturally important Laotian cities. The people of Laos are very kind and welcoming to all visitors.
Rice is the staple food and has cultural and religious significance. There are many traditions and rituals associated with rice production in different environments, and among many ethnic groups. For example, Khammu farmers in Luang Prabang plant the rice variety Khao Kam in small quantities near the hut in memory of dead parents, or at the edge of the rice field to indicate that parents are still alive.^[15]

Media

All newspapers are published by the government, including two foreign language papers: the English-language ''Vientiane Times'' and the French-language ''Le Rénovateur''. Additionally, the Khao San Pathet Lao, the country's official news agency, publishes English and French versions of its eponymous paper. Internet cafes, serving the tourist market, are now common in the major urban centres. However, the government strictly censors content and controls access.
Satellite television dishes, beaming content from Thailand, are common throughout Laos. Many Laotians access the outside world through Thai television programs.

International rankings

Organisation	Survey	Ranking
Heritage Foundation/''The Wall Street Journal''	Index of Economic Freedom	149 out of 157
Reporters Without Borders	Worldwide Press Freedom Index	156 out of 167
Transparency International	Corruption Perceptions Index	111 out of 163
United Nations Development Programme	Human Development Index	133 out of 177

See also

★ List of Laos-related topics

★ Communications in Laos

★ Emblem of Laos

★ Foreign relations of Laos

★ List of indices of freedom

★ Companies in Laos

★ Military of Laos

★ Scouting in Laos

★ Transport in Laos
'Leaders of ethnic minorities in Laos'

★ Pa Chay Vue

★ Ong Keo

★ Ong Kommandam

Notes and references

1. Heritage Foundation
2. CIA World Factbook
3. CIA World Factbook
4. CIA World Factbook, May 2007
5. Stop Cluster Munitions
6. International Reporting Project
7. http://vientiane.usembassy.gov/dec_15_2005.html
8. About Greater Mekong Subregion at Asian Development Bank
9. CIA World Factbook
10. Rice, the fabric of life in Laos
11. Genuinely Lao
12. The Green Revolution comes to Laos
13. Genuinely Lao
14. A Race Against Time
15. An Evaluation of Synthesis of Rice


★ Fredenburg, P. and B. Hill. 2006. ''Sharing Rice for Peace and Prosperity in the Greater Mekong Subregion.'' Sid Harta Publishers, Victoria. ISBN 1-921206-08-X. pp271.

★ J. M. Schiller, M. B. Chanphengxay, B. Linquist and S. Appa Rao, editors. 2006. Rice in Laos. Los Banos, (Philippines). International Rice Research Institute. 457 p. ISBN 978-971-22-0211-7.

★ Stuart-Fox, M. 1999. A History of Laos. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-59235-6.

★ Fifteen years of support for rice research in Lao PDR

External links

★

★ United Nations Operations in Lao P.D.R -'RB'-

★ UNDP Lao Official Website -'RB'-

★ The National Assembly of Lao P.D.R.

★ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao P.D.R.

★ Ministry of Trade of Lao P.D.R.

★ Laos tourism

★ Ministry of Commerce of Lao P.D.R.

★ National Statistics Centre of Lao P.D.R.

★ CIA - The World Factbook: Laos

★

★ Vientiane Times: the ''official'' newspaper

★ Vientiane Times: the ''unofficial'' website

★ KPL Daily News Lao News Agency

★ Laos.fr community

★ Plumeria flowers - La fleur de frangipaniers, symbole du Laos

★ U.S. Operations to Remove UXO - Weston, WI

★ Laos Cultural Profile (Ministry of Information and Culture/Visiting Arts)