Laos

Particulars

Descriptions

Historical Background

Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang. Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century, when it became part of French Indochina.

In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1988.

Geography

It is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, located on the Indochinese Peninsula.

Official Name

Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Capital

Vientiane.

Religion

The predominant religion of Laos is Theravada Buddhism.

Currency

Kip.

Form of Government

Laos is one of the few remaining communist states.

Bordering Countries

It is bounded to the north by China, to the northeast and east by Vietnam, to the south by Cambodia, to the west by Thailand, and to the northwest by Myanmar (Burma).

Total Area

236,800 sq km.

Highest Point

Phu Bia 2,817 m.

Languages

Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages.

Drainage

All major rivers—the Tha, Beng, Ou, Ngum, Kading, Bangfai, Banghiang, and Kong—are tributaries of the Mekong River, Southeast Asia's most significant river. The rare Irrawaddy dolphin is found in the southern stretches of the Mekong River.

Other Rivers

Rivers that are not part of the Mekong River basin, such as the Tale, Ma, Mat, and Xa rivers, drain from Laos.

Climate

It has the typical tropical monsoon climate of the region. Monsoon winds blow through the country twice a year.

Vegetation

Laos has tropical rainforests of broad-leaved evergreens in the north and monsoon forests of mixed evergreens and deciduous trees in the south.

Agriculture

Coffee, tea, rice, strawberries, and pineapples.

Wildlife

Clouded leopard, Red panda, King cobra.

Major Mountain Ranges

Annamite Range, Luang Prabang Range.

Plateaus

There are three plateaus between the mountains and the Mekong River—the Xiangkhiang, the Khammouan, and the Bolovens Plateaus.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following countries

1. China
2. Vietnam
3. Cambodia
4. Myanmar

How many of the above countries share a land border with Laos?

A. Only one

B. Only two

C. Only three

D. All four

Answer D

The country is bordered by China to the north, Viet Nam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Myanmar to the northwest. The country stretches more than 1 700 km along a north-south axis.