About 3km to the north of the city, it is easy to reach the centre from the airport by taxi, tuk tuk or bus. [47][52] Laos was requested in 1979 by Vietnam to end relations with the People's Republic of China, leading to isolation in trade by China, the United States, and other countries. What is the Difference Between Democrats and Republicans. Vientiane became one of the most important settlements in the kingdom, and in 1563 it became the kingdom's capital. Cities []. 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. He later died under suspicious circumstances in a re-education camp. The Lao PDR is one of the world's few socialist states openly endorsing communism. [32], In 1520, Photisarath came to the throne and moved the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane to avoid a Burmese invasion. Laos can be considered to consist of three geographical areas: north, central, and south. 1353 - Lan Xang (Million Elephants) Kingdom, founded in the 14th century by Fa Ngum. Lao Theung constitute about 30% of the population. [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'. The politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population, mostly in the lowlands. French is also used in public works in central and southern Laos and Luang Prabang and is a language of diplomacy and of the elite classes, higher professions and elders. [50], In 1975 the Pathet Lao overthrew the royalist government, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate on 2 December 1975. Laos is a landlocked country located in the Indochinese Peninsula. Savada, Andrea Matles (editor) (1994) "Events in 1945". A new province, Xaisomboun province , was established on 13 December 2013. [183] Since the start of the league, Lao Army F.C. While some Hmong people returned to Laos voluntarily, with development assistance from UNHCR, allegations of forced repatriation surfaced. The organisation estimates that there are 173,800 French speakers in Laos (2010 est.). [145], In the central and southern mountains, Mon-Khmer-speaking groups, known as Lao Theung or mid-slope Laotians, predominate. Many elements of Lao culture predate Buddhism. Vientiane, pronounced as "Viang-chan" in Lao, has been the Laotian capital city for 453 years. The city's central river port location in a country relying heavily on its rivers for transportation and its surrounding hinterland of intensive rice cultivation have made Vientiane the major economic centre of Laos. In 1960, amidst a series of rebellions in the Kingdom of Laos, fighting broke out between the Royal Lao Army (RLA) and the communist North Vietnamese and Soviet Union-backed Pathet Lao guerillas. Other carriers serving the country include Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, AirAsia, Thai Airways and China Eastern Airlines. The capital city of Hanoi is ready to further expand friendship and cooperation activities in various fields, including those of people-elected . Very few of the Lao refugees, however, were willing to return voluntarily. [63] There is a distinct rainy season from May to October, followed by a dry season from November to April. [151] The indigenous Khmers are believed to have been largely displaced or killed during the 11th and 12th centuries, when the Lao people entered the region. Paul Lvy, ''Histoire du Laos'', PUF, 1974. In 1990 only 8% of the rural population had access to improved sanitation. [47] Between 1964 and 1973, the US dropped two million tons of bombs on Laos, nearly equal to the 2.1million tons of bombs the US dropped on Europe and Asia during all of World War II, making Laos the most heavily bombed country in history relative to the size of its population; The New York Times notes this was "nearly a ton for every person in Laos". 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. (Lao: , pronounced Loo-ang pah-bang and also spelled Louangphrabang, is the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city. [104] Later reports have contradicted this, claiming they were sentenced to 20 years in prison. From the river bank inland, the three main roads run parallel to the river, while the . [76] As many as 200,000 Hmong went into exile in Thailand, with many ending up in the US. More than half of the nation's population is ethnic Laothe principal lowland inhabitants, and the politically and culturally dominant people of Laos. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. Export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods are expected to generate 16% of total exports or US$270.3million in 2010, growing in nominal terms to US$484.2million (12.5% of the total) in 2020. Even the capital Vientiane feels like a relaxed riverfront town. In 1899, Vientiane became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos, which ensured further development in the city. According to linguistic and other historical evidence, Tai-speaking tribes migrated southwestward to the modern territories of Laos and Thailand from Guangxi sometime between the 8th and 10th centuries. The small nation is bordered by China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. The only legal political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). Karen J, "House Panel Hears Concerns About Hmong", States News Service, 26 April 1994. [70] Laos was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 1997 and acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2016. He encouraged a renaissance of Lao fine arts and literature and improved relations with Luang Phrabang. 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. [26] Archaeological evidence suggests an agriculturist society developed during the 4th millennium BC. Today, French has a healthier status in Laos than the other Francophone nations of Asia and about 35% of all students in Laos receive their education in French, with the language being a required course in many schools. [85] Several thousand Hmong people, fearing forced repatriation to Laos if they were not accepted for resettlement in the United States, fled the camp to live elsewhere within Thailand where a sizeable Hmong population has been present since the 19th century. During World War II, the city was briefly captured by Japan, but quickly recaptured by the French. The main investor is Thailand. Lao People's Democratic Republic or Laos (), is a country in southeast Asia. This includes decreasing the environmental and cultural impact of tourism; increasing awareness in the importance of ethnic groups and biological diversity; providing a source of income to conserve, sustain and manage the Lao protected area network and cultural heritage sites; and emphasizing the need for tourism zoning and management plans for sites that will be developed as ecotourism destinations.[137]. The most popular place to visit in Laos, Luang Prabang is an historic city that once served as the capital of the Kingdom of Laos. However, only slightly more than half of the population speaks Lao natively. Xinhua That Luang Festival celebrated in Vientiane, Laos Candlelight parade surrounding the That Luang Stupa in Lao capital Vientiane on the night of Nov. 11, 2019. . [65] Lao PDR: How to Attract More Investment in Small-Scale Renewable Energy? Five of them were arrested and subsequently sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment on charges of treason. The attack resulted in the RLA largely demobilising, leaving the conflict to irregular ethnic Hmong forces of the "Secret Army" backed by the United States and Thailand, and led by General Vang Pao. [163] The first feature-length film made after the monarchy was abolished is Gun Voice from the Plain of Jars, directed by Somchith Pholsena in 1983, although its release was prevented by a censorship board. A new constitution was adopted in 1991 and enshrined a "leading role" for the LPRP. Moreover, 130,000 deaths can be attributed to the civil war. Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. The Lao subsequently established their own kingdom named the Lan Xang in 1354. [150] Languages like Khmu (Austroasiatic) and Hmong (Hmong-Mien) are spoken by minorities, particularly in the midland and highland areas. Laos, landlocked country of northeast-central mainland Southeast Asia. Entitled The Rocket, the film appeared at the 2013 Melbourne International Film Festival and won three awards at the Berlin International Film Festival. 400 AD - Theravada Buddhism was introduced to Laos. A Chinese firm's plans to build a 100-meter-high Buddha statue in low-lying Vientiane encapsulate China's outsized . The constitution also contains provisions for gender equality, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of press and assembly. Patuxay, Vientiane Laos, Sunrise in the morning at at Patuxai. In 2010, one in every 11 jobs was in the tourism sector. [125], Laos is rich in mineral resources and imports petroleum and gas. Laos is simply one of those places that will capture your heart for years to come. In the late 19th century, Luang Prabang was ransacked by the Chinese Black Flag Army. 6, "Seventy Years of Anarchy", in. It has failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup or the AFC Asian Cup, but has participated in minor competitions like the AFC Solidarity Cup and the AFF Championship. For other uses, see, , "Peace, independence, democracy, unity and prosperity", Independence and Communist rule (1953present), The State respects and protects all lawful activities of Buddhists and of followers of other religions, [and] mobilises and encourages Buddhist monks and novices as well as the priests of other religions to participate in activities that are beneficial to the country and people, Sanda Simms, ch. "Last month, they the authorities told us they're going to . [47][51] The royalists set up a government in exile in the United States. [59], In 1993 the Laos government set aside 21% of the nation's land area for habitat conservation preservation. The city of Vientiane is located on the Mekong River's bank near the Laos-Thailand border, and is the seat of the countrys national government. [69] Trade relations with the United States were normalised in November 2004 through Congress approved legislation. [39] Laos never held any importance for France[40] other than as a buffer state between Thailand and the more economically important Annam and Tonkin. He has been General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, a position making him the de facto leader of Laos, since January 2021. [110][111], Human rights advocates including Vang Pobzeb, Kerry and Kay Danes, and others have also raised concerns about human rights violations, torture, the arrest and detention of political prisoners as well as the detention of foreign prisoners in Laos including at the infamous Phonthong Prison in Vientiane. Patuxay Vientiane Laos, Sunrise in morning at at Patuxai. [83] Around 5,000 Hmong people who were not resettled at the time of the camp closures sought asylum at Wat Tham Krabok, a Buddhist monastery in central Thailand where more than 10,000 Hmong refugees had already been living. 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. [141] Laos's predominantly rural[142] population makes investing in sanitation difficult. It was founded in 1563 and was prompted by fears of attacks from Burma. [133], The tourism sector has grown rapidly, from 80,000 international visitors in 1990, to 1.876million in 2010,[134] when tourism had been expected to rise to US$1.5857billion by 2020. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from . Address: 133 Chanthakhoummarn Road, Chanthabouly district. [166], Australian filmmaker Kim Mordount's first feature film was made in Laos and features a Laotian cast speaking their native language. Gunderson, Steve (18 May 1996) "State Department Outlines Resettlement Guidelines for Hmong Refugees". Built on three levels, it symbolises the ascent from earth to heaven. [43] As late as 1945, the French drew up an ambitious plan to move massive Vietnamese population to three key areas, i.e., the Vientiane Plain, Savannakhet region, and the Bolaven Plateau, which was only derailed by the Japanese invasion of Indochina. . Pakxe has also experienced growth based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam. [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. [131] In 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights conducted an official visit to Laos and found that the country's top-down approach to economic growth and poverty alleviation "is all too often counterproductive, leading to impoverishment and jeopardising the rights of the poor and marginalised. [77] Pressure to resettle the refugees grew as the Thai government worked to close its remaining refugee camps. This land area is approximately 59% of the area of California. The 1957 document was abrogated in December 1975, when a communist people's republic was proclaimed. The rural population had access to improved sanitation open from 8am-4pm daily ( with a one hour break 12-1! 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