[156] Laos was ranked 117th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021 down from 113rd in 2020.[157][158][159][160][161]. Buddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not stated 2.1% (2015 est. The Government [edit | edit source] According to the Franco-Lao treaty of 1953, Laos was an independent country. The mountainous geography of Laos had impeded Laos's ground transportation development throughout the 20th century. A new constitution was adopted in 1991 and enshrined a "leading role" for the LPRP. WebSearch from Kingdom Of Laos stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. ), total: 31.8% (2020 est. Setthathirath became king in 1548, after his father was killed, and ordered the construction of what became the symbol of Laos, That Luang. Hover to zoom. )subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est. [50], In 1975 the Pathet Lao overthrew the royalist government, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate on 2 December 1975. ), total: 128,000 (2020 est. Settathirath disappeared in the mountains on his way back from a military expedition into Cambodia, and Lan Xang fell into more than seventy years of instability, involving both Burmese invasion and civil war. )0.5% (2020 est. The remainder, particularly in rural areas, speak ethnic minority languages. WebThe Lao people, the predominant ethnic group in present-day Laos, are a branch of the Tai peoples who by the 8th century ce had established a powerful kingdom, Nanzhao, in )-$1.32 billion (2019 est. 3, "Through Chaos to a New Order", in, Sanda Simms, ch. ), rice, roots/tubers nes, cassava, sugar cane, vegetables, bananas, maize, watermelons, coffee, taro, mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism, agriculture: 73.1%industry: 6.1%services: 20.6% (2012 est. WebFor the history of Laos under the joint Franco-Japanese protectorate, see Laos (Indochinese Union). Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997 and the WTO in 2013.In the 2010s, the country benefited from direct foreign investment, particularly in the natural resource and industry sectors. [62], The climate is mostly tropical savanna and influenced by the monsoon pattern. Only 4% of the country is arable land and a mere 0.3% used as permanent crop land,[120] the lowest percentage in the Greater Mekong Subregion. ), 185 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est. )8,401.335 (2018 est. 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. Under the plan, refugee status was evaluated through a screening process. [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. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from China. [32], In 1520, Photisarath came to the throne and moved the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane to avoid a Burmese invasion. )permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est. [125], Laos is rich in mineral resources and imports petroleum and gas. o din: Sato Shinsuke. [35] Anouvong was taken to Bangkok as a prisoner, where he died. [13] Because of its central geographical location in Southeast Asia, the kingdom became a hub for overland trade and became wealthy economically and culturally. )crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est. WebKingdom of Laos Stamps Album Exhibition In the Exhibits section, E. Moallem exhibits his Kingdom of Laos stamps album. [104], In October 1999, 30 young people were arrested for attempting to display posters calling for peaceful economic, political and social change in Laos. Picture Information. Th loi: Chin Tranh, Phiu Lu. )investment in inventories: 3.1% (2017 est. [155] The National University of Laos is the Lao state's public university. [citation needed], The Lao government controls all media channels to prevent critique of its actions. In 1990 only 8% of the rural population had access to improved sanitation. Additionally, many elite and French-educated Lao immigrated to nations such as the United States and France to escape government persecution. France remained in de facto control until 22 October 1953, when Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy. [185], This article is about the country in Southeast Asia. In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. [155], The adult literacy rate for women in 2017 was 62.9%; for adult men, 78.1%. [87], Lending further support to earlier claims that the government of Laos was persecuting the Hmong, filmmaker Rebecca Sommer documented first-hand accounts in her documentary, Hunted Like Animals,[88] and in a comprehensive report that includes summaries of refugee claims and was submitted to the UN in May 2006. ), municipal solid waste generated annually: 351,900 tons (2015 est. [47] As of 22March2021[update] the head of state is President Thongloun Sisoulith. ), municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est. [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. According to independent non-profit/non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Amnesty International,[104] Human Rights Watch,[105] and Civil Rights Defenders,[106] along with the US State Department,[107] serious human rights violations such as arbitrary detentions, disappearances, free speech restrictions, prison abuses and other violations are an ongoing problem. has been the most successful club with 8 titles, the highest number of championship wins. Laos was then dependent on military and economic aid from the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. The national basketball team competed at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games where it beat Myanmar in the eighth place game. The Tai-Kadai Languages, ":: Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission, R.o.c. 0 / 5 0 lt. [58] Laos had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.59/10, ranking it 98th globally out of 172 countries. ), definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 84.7%male: 90%female: 79.4% (2015), total: 10 yearsmale: 10 yearsfemale: 10 years (2020), total: 3.3%male: 3.4%female: 3.2% (2021 est. [145] The Lao belong to the Tai linguistic group[146] who began migrating south from China in the first millennium CE. ), household consumption: 63.7% (2017 est. [77] Pressure to resettle the refugees grew as the Thai government worked to close its remaining refugee camps. [36], A Siamese military campaign in Laos in 1876 was described by a British observer as having been "transformed into slave-hunting raids on a large scale".[37]. [75], Some Hmong groups fought as CIA-backed units on the royalist side in the Laotian Civil War. )wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est. and Yurnaidi, Z., 2020. ), production: 16.04 million metric tons (2020 est. WebWho is the father of Laos? Ngum was descended from a long line of Lao kings that traced back to Khoun Boulom. )consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est. This sector has made significant contributions to the economic condition of Laos. [47], The foreign relations of Laos after the takeover by the Pathet Lao in December 1975 were characterised by a hostile posture toward the West, with the government of the Lao PDR aligning itself with the Soviet Bloc, maintaining close ties with the Soviet Union and depending heavily on the Soviets for most of its foreign assistance. Sticky rice is a staple food and has cultural and religious significance to the Lao people. )$1.111 billion (31 December 2019 est. [76], In 1989, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with the support of the US government, instituted the Comprehensive Plan of Action, a programme to stem the tide of Indochinese refugees from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. [26] Archaeological evidence suggests an agriculturist society developed during the 4th millennium BC. [69] Trade relations with the United States were normalised in November 2004 through Congress approved legislation. [56], On 3 December 2021, the 422-kilometre Boten-Vientiane railway, a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was opened. [139]:8 Songthaews are used in the country for long-distance and local public transport. ), improved: urban: 100% of populationrural: 72% of populationtotal: 82.2% of populationunimproved: urban: 0% of populationrural: 28% of populationtotal: 17.8% of population (2020 est. The rebellion failed, and Vientiane was ransacked. )hydroelectricity: 64.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est. After centuries of gradual decline, 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. Mountain/hill tribes of mixed ethno/cultural-linguistic heritage are found in northern Laos, which include the Lua and Khmu people who are indigenous to Laos. [143], The term "Laotian" does not necessarily refer to the Lao language, ethnic Lao people, language or customs. An "urban" village is essentially a town.[58]. Energy Efficiency Retrofitting of Buildings Challenges and Methods", Diller, Anthony; Edmondson, Jerry; Luo, Yongxian (2004). Vientiane prefecture, the capital and largest city, had about 683,000 residents in 2020. )imports of goods and services: -43.2% (2017 est. Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languagesmajor-language sample(s): (Lao)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. )imports: 18,000 metric tons (2020 est. Influences: 12 Oct. 1945 - 24 Apr. Its first railway line, a short 3-km long metre-gauge railway that connects southern Vientiane to Thailand, only opened in 2009. English, the language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has become increasingly studied in recent years. )methane emissions: 9 megatons (2020 est. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. [141] Access rose rapidly from 10 percent in 1995 to 38 percent in 2008. 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. [42] By 1943, the Vietnamese population stood at nearly 40,000, forming the majority in the largest cities of Laos and enjoying the right to elect its own leaders. WebKingdom 2 To Distant Lands (Harukanaru Daichi E) 2022 135 Pht. ), improved: urban: 97.1% of populationrural: 84.1% of populationtotal: 88.8% of populationunimproved: urban: 2.9% of populationrural: 15.9% of populationtotal: 11.2% of population (2020 est. Laosin kuningaskunta. ), 63.6% of GDP (2017 est. Laos's first expressway, the VientianeBoten Expressway, parallels both Route 13 and the BotenVientiane railway; the first section from Vientiane to Vang Vieng was opened in 2020, with other sections under construction. ), Laos is a predominantly rural country with a youthful population almost 55% of the population is under the age of 25. Its progress on health and development issues has been uneven geographically, among ethnic groups, and socioeconomically. Laos has made headway in poverty reduction, with the poverty rate almost halving from 46% in 1992/93 to 22% in 2012/13. Nevertheless, pronounced rural-urban disparities persist, and income inequality is rising. Poverty most affects populations in rural and highland areas, particularly ethnic minority groups., The total fertility rate (TFR) has decreased markedly from around 6 births per woman on average in 1990 to approximately 2.8 in 2016, but it is still one of the highest in Southeast Asia. Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. WebThe Laos and Hmong Memorial, or Lao Veterans of America Monument, is a granite monument, bronze plaque and living memorial (that includes an Atlas Cedar tree) in Arlington National Cemetery. )1.03% (2020 est. [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. [57], Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and it lies mostly between latitudes 14 and 23N (a small area is south of 14), and longitudes 100 and 108E. As a low-income country, Laos faces a brain-drain problem as many educated people migrate to developed countries. In 1950, the French were forced to give Laos semi-autonomy as an "associated state" within the French Union. [81] Debate on the issue escalated quickly. WebThe Kingdom of Laos (1953-1975) was a constitutional monarchy that ruled Laos for 22 years with only two kings, Sisavang Vong and Savang Vatthana. )transmission/distribution losses: 2.262 billion kWh (2019 est. WebFor the history of Laos under the joint Franco-Japanese protectorate, see Laos (Indochinese Union). The main international airports are Vientiane's Wattay International Airport and Luang Prabang International Airport with Pakse International Airport also having a few international flights. The revised constitution of 11 May 1957 omitted reference to the French Union, though close educational, health and technical ties with the former colonial power persisted. [47][46], In 1968, the PAVN launched a multi-division attack to help the Pathet Lao fight the RLA. Entitled The Rocket, the film appeared at the 2013 Melbourne International Film Festival and won three awards at the Berlin International Film Festival. It is estimated that about 37% of educated Laotians live outside Laos. The major roads connecting to urban centres, in particular Route 13, have been significantly upgraded in recent years. [112] Laos is an origin country for sexually trafficked persons. ), Thailand 53%, China 26%, Vietnam 10% (2019), refined petroleum, cars, cattle, iron structures, steel products (2019), $1.476 billion (31 December 2021 est. Etsy Search for items or shops )percent of population: 34% (2020 est. )from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est. [17][18], The word Laos was coined by the French, who united the three Lao kingdoms in French Indochina in 1893 and named the country as the plural of the dominant and most common ethnic group, the Lao people. )proven reserves: 503 million metric tons (2019 est. When he died without an heir, the kingdom split into three principalities. [34], Chao Anouvong was installed as a vassal king of Vientiane by the Siamese. Ratio is 2:3. Metallurgy is an important industry, and the government hopes to attract foreign investment to develop the substantial deposits of coal, gold, bauxite, tin, copper, and other valuable metals. The Lao Royals are now based in France, where they work to achieve a change of government in Laos. "Laos agrees to voluntary repatriation of refugees in Thailand", U.P.I., 5 June 1991. Additionally, the Khao San Pathet Lao, the country's official news agency, publishes English and French versions of its eponymous paper. Luang Prabang and Vat Phou are both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Lao Kingdom was formally proclaimed when the new constitution was promulgated in 1947 as part of the French colonial union, and gained full independence in 1953. Between 1763 and 1769, Burmese armies overran northern Laos and annexed Luang Prabang, while Champasak eventually came under Siamese suzerainty. ), $7,800 (2021 est. [109], Laos and Vietnamese (SRV) troops were reported to have raped and killed four Christian Hmong women in Xiangkhouang Province in 2011, according to the US-based non-governmental public policy research organisation The Centre for Public Policy Analysis, which also said other Christian and independent Buddhist and animist believers were being persecuted. )note: data are in 2017 dollars, 3.76% (2021 est. )note: data are in 2017 dollars, 2.53% (2021 est. A s we continue our 2023 Awards coverage, today we are talking to the sound team behind another film on the Best Sound Academy Awards shortlist Avatar: The Way of Water.. Learn more - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab. It is a political term that includes the non-ethnic Lao groups within Laos and identifies them as "Laotian" because of their political citizenship. While some Hmong people returned to Laos voluntarily, with development assistance from UNHCR, allegations of forced repatriation surfaced. [127] Of the potential capacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been committed for export to Thailand and Vietnam. Wiktionary Advertisement Find Similar Words Find similar words to kingdom-of-laos using the buttons below. Laosball, officially the Lao Peoples Democratic Republicball, is a communist countryball located in Southeast Asia. )industrial: 170 million cubic meters (2017 est. Five of them were arrested and subsequently sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment on charges of treason. ), 40.726 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est. [15][16] Laos has been referred to as one of Southeast Asia and Pacific's fastest growing economies by the World Bank with annual GDP growth averaging 7.4% since 2009. [149], Hill people and minority cultures of Laos such as the Hmong, Yao (Mien) (Hmong-Mien), Dao, Shan, and several Tibeto-Burman speaking peoples have lived in isolated regions of Laos for many years. Electricity is available to 83% of the population. [147] Ten percent belong to other "lowland" groups, which together with the Lao people make up the Lao Loum (lowland people). )solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est. ), $446.572 million (2021 est. ), at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est. ), fossil fuels: 35.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est. ", "Laos Deputy PM Douangchay Phichit dies in plane crash", "Laos plane crash kills defence minister and senior officials", "Lao Defense Chief Among Plane Crash Victims", "Hmong Leader's Vanishing In Laos Reverberates in U.S.", Reports on results of investigations of allegations concerning the welfare of Hmong refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand and Laos, "Refugee Admissions Program for East Asia", "History of the Hmong Resettlement Task Force", Report on the situation in the Xaysomboun Special Zone and 1100 Hmong-Lao refugees who escaped to Petchabun, Thailand during 20042005, Thailand: EU Presidency Declaration on the situation of Hmong refugees, "Hmong refugees facing removal from Thailand", Deportation of Hmong Lao refugees stopped in last minute, Hmong: UNHCR Protests Refugee Deportation, "Somsanga's Secrets | Arbitrary Detention, Physical Abuse, and Suicide inside a Lao Drug Detention Center", "In charts: How the Philippines fares in Southeast Asia", "Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review: Eighth session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council", "Human Rights Watch Concerns on Laos Submitted in advance of the EU-Laos Human Rights Dialogue October 2015", "Human Rights Abuses in Laos Must be Tackled Now", "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016", "Free former student leaders arbitrarily detained for 17 years", "Amnesty International Report 2016/17: Laos", "Laos, Vietnam troops kill Hmong Christians", "Laos, Vietnam troops kill four Hmong Christians: NGO", "Two teenagers rescued from forced prostitution in Laos", "Chinese marriage proposals become prostitution nightmares for some Lao girls", "Communism and Capitalism Are Mixing in Laos", https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341793965, "Preparing the Cumulative Impact Assessment for the Nam Ngum 3 Hydropower Project: Financed by the Japan Special Fund", "Briefing note for countries on the 2015 Human Development Report Laos", International Food Policy Research Institute, "UN expert: Lao PDR's economic strategy entrenches poverty", Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, European Council On Tourism And Trade Delegation Visit To Laos-World Best Tourist Destination European Council On Tourism And Trade, "The Lao People's Democratic Republic's Vision for Ecotourism", "China's BRI and its High-Speed Railways to Nowhere", "Focales n 8. ), conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republicconventional short form: Laoslocal long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Laolocal short form: Mueang Lao (unofficial)etymology: name means "Land of the Lao [people]", name: Vientiane (Viangchan)geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 Etime difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)etymology: the meaning in Pali, a Buddhist liturgical language, is "city of sandalwood", 17 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 prefecture* (kampheng nakhon); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang (Luang Prabang), Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang, 19 July 1949 (from France by the Franco-Lao General Convention); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence), Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975), history: previous 1947 (preindependence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president of the republic; amended 2003, 2015, civil law system similar in form to the French system, has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt, citizenship by birth: nocitizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Laosdual citizenship recognized: noresidency requirement for naturalization: 10 years, chief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 22 March 2021); Vice Presidents PANI Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmani (since 22 March 2021)head of government: Prime Minister PHANKHAM Viphavan (since 22 March 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers CHANSAMON Chan-gnalat, SONXAI Siphandon, KIKEO Khaikhamphithoun (since 22 March 2021); VILAI Lakhamfong, SALEUMXAI Kommasit (since June 2022)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assemblyelections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 22 March 2021 (next to be held in March 2026); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year termelection results: 2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulit (LPRP) elected president; National Assembly vote: 161-1; PANI Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmani (LPRP) elected vice presidents; National Assembly vote NA; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote: 158-32016: BOUNNYANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulit (LPRP) elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA, description: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (164 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote from candidate lists provided by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; members serve 5-year terms)elections: last held on 21 February 2021 (next to be held in 2026)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 158, independent 6; composition - men 128, women 36, percent of women 21.9%, highest court(s): People's Supreme Court (consists of the court president and organized into criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile chambers, each with a vice president and several judges)judge selection and term of office: president of People's Supreme Court appointed by the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of the People's Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the National Assembly; appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice presidents and chamber judges NAsubordinate courts: appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts, Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [THONGLOUN Sisoulit]note: other parties proscribed, ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, chief of mission: Ambassador SisavathINPHACHANH (since 7 June 2022)chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 328-9148; [1] (202) 332-6416FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923email address and website: [email protected]; [email protected]://laoembassy.com/consulate(s): New York, chief of mission: Ambassador Peter HAYMOND (since 7 February 2020)embassy: Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9,Hatsayfong District, Vientianemailing address: 4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350telephone: [856] 21-48-7000FAX: [856] 21-48-7040email address and website: [email protected]://la.usembassy.gov/, three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band; the red bands recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as the country's bright future, elephant; national colors: red, white, blue, name: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichitnote: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy, total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)selected World Heritage Site locales: Town of Luangphrabang; Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements; Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars. Education Level. Paul Lvy, ''Histoire du Laos'', PUF, 1974. The national carrier is Lao Airlines. An ancient human skull was recovered in 2009 from the Tam Pa Ling Cave in the Annamite Mountains in northern Laos; the skull is at least 46,000 years old, making it the oldest modern human fossil found to date in Southeast Asia. His ministers, unable to tolerate his ruthlessness, forced him into exile to the present-day Thai province of Nan in 1373,[31] where he died. [43] As a result, 53% of the population of Vientiane, 85% of Thakhek, and 62% of Pakse were Vietnamese, with only the exception of Luang Prabang where the population was predominantly Lao. )$12.9 billion (31 December 2016 est. [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. )other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est. On December 15, 1946, in the face of guerrilla raids from across the Mekong, forty-four delegates to the Kingdom of Laos's first popularly elected Sell now. The organisation estimates that there are 173,800 French speakers in Laos (2010 est.). ), total subscriptions: 4.1 million (2020 est. The close ties between Laos and Vietnam were formalised via a treaty signed in 1977, which has since provided direction for Lao foreign policy, and provides the basis for Vietnamese involvement at all levels of Lao political and economic life. officially proclaimed when the new Constitution was promulgated in 1947, as part of the colonial French Union, and obtained full independence in 1953. [68] Laos also maintained a "special relationship" with Vietnam and formalised a 1977 treaty of friendship and cooperation that created tensions with China. They were to have been released by October 2009, but their whereabouts remain unknown. The economy has benefited from high-profile foreign direct investment in hydropower dams along the Mekong River, copper and gold mining, logging, and construction, although some projects in these industries have drawn criticism for their environmental impacts. The mining industry of Laos has received prominent attention with foreign direct investments. With the end of isolationism in the early 1990s however, the French language rebounded, thanks to the establishment of French, Swiss and Canadian relations and opening of French-language centers in central Laos. [181], Association football is the most popular sport in Laos. WebThe Kingdom of Laos was officially proclaimed when the new Constitution was promulgated in 1947, as part of the colonial French Union, [2] and obtained full independence in 1953. (approximately $120 million)0.2% of GDP (2018 est.) The Lao government has been working with the International Rice Research Institute of the Philippines to collect seed samples of each of the thousands of rice varieties found in Laos. Its thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is Phou Bia at 2,818 metres (9,245ft), with some plains and plateaus. The proto-historic period is characterised by contact with Chinese and Indian civilisations. Department of Statistics, Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2009. They were the indigenous inhabitants of northern Laos. The Laos civil war (1953 1975) mainly caused internal displacement (numbering in the hundreds of thousands). Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, indigenous people in remote, war-struck areas were resettled and more than 300,000 people fled to Thailand to escape the communist regime that took power. The majority of those who sought refuge in Thailand ultimately were resettled in the US (mainly Hmong who fought with US forces), and lesser numbers went to France, Canada, and Australia.. Between 1995 and 2008 approximately 1,232,900 more people had access to improved sanitation in rural areas. ::", "Global Religious Landscape; Table: Religious Composition by Country", "Human Development Report 2009. [72], On 17 May 2014, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Douangchay Phichit was killed in a plane crash, along with other top ranking officials. China, for example, provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in December 2021. WebShop for kingdom of laos wall art from the world's greatest living artists. In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to King Sisavang Vong of Luang Phrabang became ruler of a unified Laos, and Vientiane once again became the capital. [47][46], The First Indochina War took place across French Indochina and eventually led to French defeat and the signing of a peace accord for Laos at the Geneva Conference of 1954. )imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est. 1946. )industry: 33.2% (2017 est. )0.85% (2019 est. After the Pathet Lao took over the country in 1975, the conflict continued in isolated pockets. Lao Theung constitute about 30% of the population. Words Starting With K KI KIN Words Ending With S OS AOS [124] Laos may have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. )from petroleum and other liquids: 2.855 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est. On September 1, 1945, the Kingdom of Laos was confirmed [2] as an independent kingdom under Japanese protection. For example, Article 8 makes it clear that Laos is a multinational state and is committed to equality between ethnic groups. Very few of the Lao refugees, however, were willing to return voluntarily. [130] According to the Global Hunger Index (2018), Laos ranks as the 36th hungriest nation in the world out of the list of the 52 nations with the worst hunger situation(s). For example, Khammu farmers in Luang Prabang plant the rice variety khao kam in small quantities near the farm house in memory of dead parents, or at the edge of the rice field to indicate that parents are still alive.[162]. ), general assessment: Laos joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2013; one of the conditions of admittance was to establish an independent regulator for its telecom sector within two years; the government had committed to do so by February 2015 as part of the accession agreement; there still has been no sign of any firm plans being made to create an independent regulatory body; the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) retains the primary role in regulating the countrys telecom market; with the government also having a financial stake (in part or in whole) in every one of the major fixed-line and mobile operators, the MPTs position and decision-making is far from what could be considered independent; sufficient returns on investment cannot be guaranteed with such strict pricing controls as well as the potential for political interference; fixed-line and mobile penetration levels have, as a result, remained much lower than whats seen in neighboring South East Asian markets; there are signs of growth in the mobile broadband segment as LTE network coverage slowly widens and, more recently, the countrys first 5G services start to come on stream; residents in the capital will at least be able to enjoy high-speed services in the near future, while the rest of the country waits patiently to catch up with the rest of the world. ), urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023)rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est. Ninety-three percent of households have a telephone, either fixed line or mobile. [183] Since the start of the league, Lao Army F.C. WebKingdom of Laos - Etsy Check out our kingdom of laos selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. [171], As of 2018, Laos has three theatres dedicated to showing films.[172]. )agricultural: 7.02 billion cubic meters (2017 est. )3.32% (2019 est.). note: data are in current year dollars$7.518 billion (2019 est. )crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est. [60] The country is one of four in the opium poppy growing region known as the "Golden Triangle". Laos is a member of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, the ASEAN, East Asia Summit, and La Francophonie. Theravada Buddhism is a dominant influence in Lao culture. He later died under suspicious circumstances in a re-education camp. [61] According to the October 2007 UNODC fact book Opium Poppy Cultivation in South East Asia, the poppy cultivation area was 15 square kilometres (5.8sqmi), down from 18 square kilometres (6.9sqmi) in 2006. Laos's strategies for development are based on generating electricity from rivers and selling the power to its neighbours, namely Thailand, China and Vietnam, as well as its initiative to become a "land-linked" nation, as evidenced by the construction of four new railways connecting Laos and neighbours. )note: the Laos Government officially recognizes 49 ethnic groups, but the total number of ethnic groups is estimated to be well over 200. Laos can be considered to consist of three geographical areas: north, central, and south. [46], Male life expectancy at birth was at 62.6 years and female life expectancy was at 66.7 years in 2017. [27] Burial jars and other kinds of sepulchers suggest a complex society in which bronze objects appeared around 1500 BC, and iron tools were known from 700 BC. )investment in fixed capital: 30.9% (2017 est. )geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est. By 1940, around 600 French citizens lived in Laos. [76] As many as 200,000 Hmong went into exile in Thailand, with many ending up in the US. With one-party state status of Laos, the General Secretary (party leader) holds ultimate power and authority over state and government and serves as the supreme leader. Laos has the youngest population of any country in Asia with a median age of 21.6 years. )5.1% (2020 est. Fa Ngum, also spelled Fa Ngoun, (born 1316died 1374), founder and first king of the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang who created the first unified state of the Lao people. Web3 Headed Elephant Design Style Original Kingdom of Laos Flag T-Shirt 4.8 (5) $1999 FREE delivery Thu, Jan 5 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon Amazon Merch on Demand +9 colors/patterns Lao Designs by RespekDis Sabaidee Laos and Thai Greeting | Lao writing gift T-Shirt 5.0 (1) $1695 FREE delivery Thu, Jan 5 on $25 of items shipped by note: data are in current year dollars$5.816 billion (2020 est.) )government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est. ), Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 kmnote [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth, Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km), most densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia, landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)adjective: Lao or Laotian, Lao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6% (2015 est. [45] The Japanese attempted to force Sisavang Vong (the King of Luang Phrabang) to declare Laotian independence, but on 8 April he instead simply declared an end to Laos's status as a French protectorate. Vakulchuk, R., Chan, H.Y., Kresnawan, M.R., Merdekawati, M., Overland, I., Sagbakken, H.F., Suryadi, B., Utama, N.A. Moreover, 130,000 deaths can be attributed to the civil war. [28], Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang ('million elephants'), which was founded in the 13th century by a Lao prince, Fa Ngum,[29]:223 whose father had his family exiled from the Khmer Empire. Fa Ngum, with 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered many Lao principalities in the Mekong river basin, culminating in the capture of Vientiane. A second Provisional Government of National Unity formed by Prince Souvanna Phouma in 1962 was unsuccessful, and the situation steadily deteriorated into large scale civil war between the Royal Laotian government and the Pathet Lao. [30] He made Theravada Buddhism the state religion, and Lan Xang prospered. [46], The official and majority language is Lao, a language of the Tai-Kadai language family. The exhibition depicts a complete collection of the stamps and souvenir sheets issued by the Kingdom of Laos from 1951 to 1975 with thematic descriptions emphasize on Lao culture, tradition and history. )services: 45.9% (2017 est. [184], Laos has no tradition in other team sports. WebKingdom of Laos Kingdom of Laos (English) Proper noun Kingdom of Laos. A number of Laotian sign languages are used in areas with high rates of congenital deafness.[46]. WebThe country was governed as a constitutional monarchy that ruled Laos beginning with its independence on 9 November 1953. [141] Laos's predominantly rural[142] population makes investing in sanitation difficult. (2022)domestic: fixed-line nearly 20 per 100 and 56 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2020)international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by Chinanote: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services, 6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane - 3 government-operated and the others commercial; 17 provincial stations operating with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the government-operated stations in Vientiane; Chinese and Vietnamese programming relayed via satellite from Lao National TV; broadcasts available from stations in Thailand and Vietnam in border areas; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems provide access to a wide range of foreign stations; state-controlled radio with state-operated Lao National Radio (LNR) broadcasting on 5 frequencies - 1 AM, 1 SW, and 3 FM; LNR's AM and FM programs are relayed via satellite constituting a large part of the programming schedules of the provincial radio stations; Thai radio broadcasts available in border areas and transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are also accessible, total: 2,473,689 (2020 est. Laos (/los/ (listen)[9][d]), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao: , French: Rpublique dmocratique populaire lao), is a socialist state and the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. [47][46], Laos was a key part of the Vietnam War since parts of Laos were invaded and occupied by North Vietnam since 1958 for use as a supply route for its war against South Vietnam. Other terms are Khmu, Khamu (Kammu) or Kha as the Lao Loum refer to them to indicate their Austroasiatic language affiliation. ), -1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est. [90][91][92][93] The Thai foreign ministry has said that it will halt deportation of Hmong refugees held in Detention Centres in Nong Khai, while talks are underway to resettle them in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and the United States. [144], The people of Laos are often categorised by their distribution by elevation: (lowlands, midlands and upper high lands) as this somewhat correlates with ethnic groupings. )exports: 235,000 metric tons (2020 est. [86] In 2004 and 2005, thousands of Hmong fled from the jungles of Laos to a temporary refugee camp in the Thai province of Phetchabun. [140], Laos has made particularly noteworthy progress increasing access to sanitation. [3] On September 17, 1945, the Kingdom of Luang Prabang and remaining Laotian territory were officially unified. In 2010, one in every 11 jobs was in the tourism sector. However, as of 2018, there are approximately 1.9million of Lao's population who could not access an improved water supply and 2.4million people without access to improved sanitation. "[132], The country's most widely recognised product may well be Beerlao, which in 2017 was exported to more than 20 countries worldwide. )$7,800 (2020 est. Where is the Lao royal family? On September 1, 1945, the Kingdom of Laos was confirmed [2] as )exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}18N 105E / 18N 105E / 18; 105. Nevertheless, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. The Kingdom of Laosball was an Indochinese state prior to the foundation of Lao People's Democratic Republicball. However, villages far from major roads can be reached only through unpaved roads that may not be accessible year-round. In 2016, China was the biggest foreign investor in Laos's economy, having invested in US$5.395billion since 1989, according to Laos Ministry of Planning and Investment's 19892014 report. [96][97] In The Economist's Democracy Index 2016 Laos was classified as an "authoritarian regime", ranking lowest of the nine ASEAN nations included in the study. WebThe Kingdom of Laoswas officially proclaimed when the new Constitution was promulgated in 1947, as part of the colonial French Union, and obtained full independence in 1953. "Laos refuses to take back Thai-based Hmong refugees", Smith, Philip, Washington, D.C. (12 December 2014), Kyophilavong, Phouphet, et al. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. [33], In 1637, when Sourigna Vongsa ascended the throne, Lan Xang further expanded its frontiers. 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