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Wat Xieng Thong (328)
Photo: Wat Xieng Thong

Laos
1,134 Photos
17° 46′ N, 103° 58′ E

Description

Laos, officially the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ), is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the north-west, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west.

Its population was estimated to be around 6.5 million in 2012. Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang, which existed from the 14th to the 18th century when it split into three separate kingdoms.

In 1893, it became a French protectorate, with the three kingdoms, Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champasak, uniting to form what is now known as Laos. …

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It briefly gained independence in 1945 after Japanese occupation, but returned to French rule until it was granted autonomy in 1949.

Laos became independent in 1953, with a constitutional monarchy under Sisavang Vong. Shortly after independence, a long civil war ended the monarchy, when the Communist Pathet Lao movement came to power in 1975.

The capital city is Vientiane. Other large cities include Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Pakse. The official language is Lao. Laos is a multi-ethnic country with the politically and culturally dominant Lao people making up approximately 60 % of the population, mostly in the lowlands.

Various Mon-Khmer groups, the Hmong, and other indigenous hill tribes, accounting for 40 % of the population, live in the foothills and mountains.

It is a member of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), East Asia Summit and La Francophonie.

Laos applied for membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1997, and on 2 February 2013, it was granted full membership.

Map

Map: Laos
Map: Laos

List of sights
1,134 Photos

Wat Xieng Thong (319)
Photo: Wat Xieng Thong

Luang Prabang
380 Photos

Luang Prabang, formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Laos, is a city located in north central Laos, on the Mekong River. The capital was moved in 1560 …

Map: Luang Prabang
Map: Luang Prabang
Ban Banakoi (27)
Photo: Ban Banakoi

North Laos
402 Photos

North Laos is divided into 8 provinces (Bokeo, Hua Phan, Luaung Nam Tha, Luang Prabang, Phongsali, Saiyabuli, Oudomxay, Xieng Khuang). Luang Prabang (also …

Map: North Laos
Map: North Laos
Pakse (11) Wat Luang
Photo: Pakse, Wat Luang

South Laos
240 Photos

South Laos is divided into 4 provinces (Attapeu, Champasak, Salavan, Sekong). Champasak (Champassak or Champasack) is a province in southwestern Laos, near …

Map: South Laos
Map: South Laos
Wat Si Saket (43)
Photo: Wat Si Saket

Vientiane
112 Photos

Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, on the banks of the Mekong River near the border with Thailand. Vientiane became the capital in 1573, …

Map: Vientiane
Map: Vientiane