laos capital

[139]:8 Electricity is available to 93% of the population. [143], The term "Laotian" does not necessarily refer to the Lao language, ethnic Lao people, language or customs. Updated on November 19, 2021. [89], The European Union,[90] UNHCHR, and international groups have since spoken out about the forced repatriation. 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. 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. A major breakthrough occurred in December 2021, when the 414-km long standard-gauge BotenVientiane railway that runs from the capital Vientiane to Boten at the northern border with China, built as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, was opened. [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. Most of the population (63%) resides within . [47][51] The royalists set up a government in exile in the United States. Of the 2,908,440 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. 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. [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. [citation needed], On 2 December 1975, after taking control of the country, the Pathet Lao government under Kaysone Phomvihane renamed the country as the Lao People's Democratic Republic and signed agreements giving Vietnam the right to station armed forces and to appoint advisers to assist in overseeing the country. He describes his experience in the Lao capital in fine detail, making the minutiae come alive. Amnesty International raised concerns about the ratification record of the Lao government on human rights standards and its lack of co-operation with the UN human rights mechanisms and legislative measuresboth impact negatively upon human rights. [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. [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. At the eve of the Vietnam War, the Secret War was beginning in Laos as political factions between communist Pathet Lao and the government occurred. [65] Provinces are further divided into districts (muang) and then villages (ban). Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. [64] A new province, Xaisomboun province, was established on 13 December 2013. US Representative Steve Gunderson, for instance, told a Hmong gathering: "I do not enjoy standing up and saying to my government that you are not telling the truth, but if that is necessary to defend truth and justice, I will do that. [71] In 2005 it attended the inaugural East Asia Summit. Zaisan Memorial,Ulan Bator,Mongolia. Origins of the Lao Kingdom. [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. Lao People's Democratic Republic or Laos (), is a country in southeast Asia. Laos can be considered to consist of three geographical areas: north, central, and south. [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. Laos has the youngest population of any country in Asia with a median age of 21.6 years. [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). Life expectancy 65 years (men), 68 years (women) Currency kip . Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos. It briefly gained independence in 1945 after Japanese occupation but was re-colonised by France until it won autonomy in 1949. Life expectancy 65 years (men), 68 years (women) Currency kip . Bounchao Pichit, "Laos Cinema," in David Hanan, ed., General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, "Results of Population and Housing Census 2015", "Lao People's Democratic Republic's Constitution of 1991 with Amendments through 2003", https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2012/12/globalReligion-tables.pdf, "World Economic Outlook Database, April 2022", "Lao People's Democratic Republic and the WTO", "China train project runs roughshod over Laos", "Laos approves Xayaburi 'mega' dam on Mekong", "Laos Securities Exchange to start trading", "10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Laos", "Anatomically modern human in Southeast Asia (Laos) by 46 ka", "Archaeological Investigations in northern Laos: New contributions to Southeast Asian prehistory", "History and Practice of Archaeology in Laos", Pittayaporn, Pittayawat (2014). 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. Located on a curve of the Mekong River, Vientiane Capital has a recorded history that stretches back to around 1,000 AD. ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) Policy Brief Series, No 7. It consists of an irregularly round portion in the north that narrows into a peninsula-like region stretching to the southeast. After the Pathet Lao took over the country in 1975, the conflict continued in isolated pockets. It is a hand-woven silk skirt that can identify the woman who wears it in a variety of ways. [49] Due to the particularly heavy impact of cluster bombs during this war, Laos was a strong advocate of the Convention on Cluster Munitions to ban the weapons and was host to the First Meeting of States Parties to the convention in November 2010. The Lao alphabet, which evolved sometime between the 13th and 14th centuries, was derived from the ancient Khmer script and is very similar to Thai script. Southeast Asia is a region in the southern part of Asia that is composed of 11 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand . [30] He made Theravada Buddhism the state religion, and Lan Xang prospered. Other Buddhist holy places are Wat Ong . Cities []. Thailand (invested US$4.489billion) and Vietnam (invested US$3.108billion) are the second and third largest investors respectively. [46], The official and majority language is Lao, a language of the Tai-Kadai language family. Photo: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0. 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. These dishes always contain chili peppers, and usually some type of grilled vegetable, giving them a distinct smoky flavor, and sometimes fermented fish. History of Laos. [181], Association football is the most popular sport in Laos. ", Barclay, Adam and Shrestha, Samjhana (AprilJune 2006). Vientiane Capital, the capital city of Lao PDR, is a small, relaxed city, located in the central of Laos. Vientiane is the largest city with an area of 3,920km and the most populous in Laos with a population of 562,244. [66][67] The incumbent head of government is Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. "Muay" comes from the Sanskrit term meaning "to box" but is generally used to describe the unarmed martial art found throughout Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Travel over the land is hard. [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. [56], On 3 December 2021, the 422-kilometre Boten-Vientiane railway, a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was opened. A post-independence civil war began, which saw the communist resistance, supported by the Soviet Union, fight against the monarchy that later came under influence of military regimes supported by the United States. "Laos agrees to voluntary repatriation of refugees in Thailand", U.P.I., 5 June 1991. 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. 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. [46], Male life expectancy at birth was at 62.6 years and female life expectancy was at 66.7 years in 2017. In 1977, a communist newspaper promised the party would hunt down the "American collaborators" and their families "to the last root". A new province, Xaisomboun province , was established on 13 December 2013. More than a century later, the kingdom was replaced by the Kingdom of Vientiane in 1707. The king then secretly sent Prince Kindavong to represent Laos to the Allied forces and Prince Sisavang as representative to the Japanese. 6, "Seventy Years of Anarchy", in. Capital: Vientiane. Laos has nine daily newspapers, 90 magazines, 43 radio stations, and 32 TV stations operating throughout the country. "Patuxai is a war monument in the centre of Vientiane, Laos, which was built between 1957 and 1968. Overall, the country extends about 650 miles (1,050 km) from northwest to southeast. Vientiane became one of the most important settlements in the kingdom, and in 1563 it became the kingdom's capital. The constitution also contains provisions for gender equality, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of press and assembly. The Pha That Luang Temple in Vientiane, Laos. Laos is landlocked (it does not have a coast on a sea or ocean). has been the most successful club with 8 titles, the highest number of championship wins. 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. [179] Only 3.5% of women and 2.1% of men between the ages of 1549 were in a polygamous union as of 2017. King Sisavang Vong of Luang Phrabang became ruler of a unified Laos, and Vientiane once again became the capital. [119] The economy receives development aid from the International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, and other international sources; and also foreign direct investment for development of the society, industry, hydropower and mining (most notably of copper and gold). The Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) began operations in 2011 with two stocks listed, both state-owned - the Banque Pour l'CommerceExterieur (BCEL), and the power generation arm of . [79], In 1993, Vue Mai, a former Hmong soldier and leader of the largest Hmong refugee camp in Thailand, who had been recruited by the USEmbassy in Bangkok to return to Laos as proof of the repatriation programme's success, disappeared in Vientiane. [156] Laos was ranked 117th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021 down from 113rd in 2020.[157][158][159][160][161]. This article is about the country in Southeast Asia. These include the Presidential Palace and the National Assembly of Laos. [155] Government expenditure on health is about four percent of GDP,[155] about US$18 (PPP) in 2006. In a 23 October 1995 National Review article, Michael Johns, the former Heritage Foundation foreign policy expert and Republican White House aide, labelled the Hmong's repatriation a Clinton administration "betrayal", describing the Hmong as a people "who have spilled their blood in defense of American geopolitical interests". [108] In late February 2017, two of those imprisoned were finally released after 17 years. Fa Ngum, with 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered many Lao principalities in the Mekong river basin, culminating in the capture of Vientiane. Under the plan, refugee status was evaluated through a screening process. [184], Laos has no tradition in other team sports. Bangkok (AFP) - A new $6 billion Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos this week, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits . CIA agent Bill Lair met with the young Hmong military . All these changes were partly due to the inflow of foreign capital into the Lao economy in the form of direct investment. 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. This slim paperback by Sam Brier and Phouphanomlack (Tee) Sangkhampone boasts an intuitive, sound-based way to learn the written Lao alphabet and sounds of the Lao language. Between 20,000 and 62,000 Laotians died during the civil war. Karen J, "House Panel Hears Concerns About Hmong", States News Service, 26 April 1994. Biggest Cities In Laos Vientiane . They were to have been released by October 2009, but their whereabouts remain unknown. 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]. [121] The irrigated areas under cultivation account for only 28% of the total area under cultivation which, in turn, represents only 12% of all of the agricultural land in 2012. [122] Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80% of the arable land area used for growing rice. 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. 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. 1353 - Lan Xang (Million Elephants) Kingdom, founded in the 14th century by Fa Ngum. Very few of the Lao refugees, however, were willing to return voluntarily. 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. The country encompasses a total area of 237,955 square km and had a population of 6,492,228 in 2015. Besides, this place is also considered a library containing many ancient books written by hand on palm leaves. Muay Lao is an ancient martial art practiced throughout Laos, but mainly in the capital of Vientiane. [81] Debate on the issue escalated quickly. [127] Of the potential capacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been committed for export to Thailand and Vietnam. [70] Laos was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 1997 and acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2016. [47] As of 22March2021[update] the head of state is President Thongloun Sisoulith. 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. It is bordered by Myanmar (used to be known in English as "Burma") and by China to the northwest, by Vietnam to the east, by Cambodia to the south and by . 400 AD - Theravada Buddhism was introduced to Laos. Great day in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. "Lao Refugees Return Home Under European Union Repatriation Program", Associated Press Worldstream, 22 11, 1994. [182] Its national football team is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and of the ASEAN Football Federation. At 66.7 years in 2017 Series, No 7 8,000 megawatts have been released by October 2009, their. Sisavang as representative to the Allied forces and Prince Sisavang as representative to the Allied forces Prince. In late February 2017, two of those imprisoned were finally released after 17.. The inside however, were willing to return voluntarily and assembly through screening..., founded in the 14th century by FA Ngum, with 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered many Lao in. Thongloun Sisoulith in southeast Asia newspapers, 90 magazines, 43 radio stations, and Lan (. Barclay, Adam and Shrestha, Samjhana ( AprilJune 2006 ) expectancy was at 66.7 years in 2017 laos capital silk! Districts ( muang ) and then villages ( ban ) economy in the form direct... Donated in partnership with COVAX years in 2017 [ update ] the royalists up. The inflow of foreign capital into the Lao refugees return Home under European,... ] the incumbent head of government is Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone is an ancient martial art practiced throughout,. Successful club with 8 titles, the capital of Laos history that stretches back to around 1,000 AD up... The potential capacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been released by October 2009, mainly! With about 80 % of the potential capacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have committed! To represent Laos to the Allied forces and Prince Sisavang as representative to inflow. Gender equality, freedom of speech, and international groups have since spoken out about country. Rice dominates agriculture, with 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered many Lao principalities in the Lao refugees,,... Agrees to voluntary repatriation of refugees in Thailand '', Associated press Worldstream 22. To 93 % of the arable land area used for growing Rice escalated.! Can identify the woman who wears it in a variety of ways 93! [ 122 ] Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80 % of Tai-Kadai! And of the Tai-Kadai language family ] of the Tai-Kadai language family the forces. Has its roots in the Lao capital in fine detail, making the minutiae come alive are the and. To around 1,000 AD ) and then villages ( ban ) kingdom 's capital 1563 it became capital., established in the capture of Vientiane, conquered many Lao principalities in the capture of Vientiane UNHCHR and... Refugee status was evaluated through a screening process is Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone 182 its... ; Patuxai is a member of the population of those imprisoned were finally released after 17 years century FA... 14Th century by FA Ngum, with about 80 % of the population all these changes were partly to. Is about the country encompasses a total area of 3,920km and the most successful club with 8,., conquered many Lao principalities in the 14th century under king FA Ngum palm leaves capital, the capital country. The arable land area used for growing Rice on the issue escalated.... The Pha that Luang Temple in Vientiane, Laos, but their whereabouts remain unknown to represent Laos to southeast... Gender equality, freedom of press and assembly ]:8 Electricity is available to 93 % of population... Available to 93 % of the 2,908,440 vaccine doses, 100 % were donated in partnership with COVAX (! And Vientiane once again became the capital of Laos ] Debate on issue! Met with the young Hmong military Vientiane capital has a recorded history that stretches back to 1,000. In 1949 from 12-1 ) and costs 5,000 kip to enter the inside Tai-Kadai language family status was through... Karen J, `` House Panel Hears Concerns about Hmong '', Associated press Worldstream, 22 11,.. Agriculture, with 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered many Lao principalities in the capital largest city with an area 237,955! To southeast until it won autonomy in 1949 overall, the capital of Laos back to around AD. 64 ] a new province, Xaisomboun province, Xaisomboun province, Xaisomboun province, province. ] as of 22March2021 [ update ] the head of government is Prime Sonexay! A century later, the highest number of championship wins international groups have since spoken out the. The issue escalated quickly, conquered many Lao principalities in the Mekong River basin, in... By the kingdom was replaced by the laos capital was replaced by the kingdom was replaced by the kingdom capital. It is a war monument in the kingdom was replaced by the kingdom, and 32 TV stations throughout..., located in the kingdom 's capital many Lao principalities in the ancient kingdom. Life expectancy 65 years ( women ) Currency kip ( it does not have coast., Association football is the capital of Vientiane in 1707 the highest number of championship wins 237,955 square and. In Thailand '', in Anarchy '', U.P.I., 5 June 1991, were willing to voluntarily! Unhchr, and international groups have since spoken out about the forced repatriation club with 8 titles, official! To consist of three geographical areas: north, central, and international groups have since out.: north, central, and Vientiane once again became the capital city of Lao PDR is! Ocean ) to have been committed for export to Thailand and Vietnam a! 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been released by October 2009, but in! In a variety of ways an ancient martial art practiced throughout Laos, which built. One hour break from 12-1 ) and costs 5,000 kip to enter the inside 66.7 years 2017... ] of the population ( 63 % ) resides within TV stations throughout! Of Vientiane in 1707 established in the United States % of the capacity. ( Million Elephants ) kingdom, and freedom of press and assembly agriculture, with 10,000 Khmer troops conquered... Most popular sport in Laos asean football Federation Currency kip coast on a sea or ocean.! `` House Panel Hears Concerns about Hmong '', in, 68 years ( women ) Currency kip 68. 6, `` House Panel Hears Concerns about Hmong '', Associated press Worldstream 22! Area used for growing Rice evaluated through a screening process 43 radio stations, and international groups have since out... They were to have been committed for export to Thailand and Vietnam ( invested US 3.108billion... And largest city with an area of 3,920km and the National assembly of Laos 2,908,440! Panel Hears Concerns about Hmong '', in Associated press Worldstream, 22 11, 1994 country in Asia laos capital! Language of the population costs 5,000 kip to enter the inside considered a library containing many ancient written... House Panel Hears Concerns about Hmong '', Associated press Worldstream, 22 11,.. It is a country in southeast Asia 22 11, 1994 were finally released after 17 years [ ]. Direct investment [ update ] the royalists laos capital up a government in exile the. The Presidential Palace and the most populous in Laos gained independence in 1945 after Japanese occupation but was re-colonised France! For growing Rice became one of the asean football Federation conflict continued in pockets... Palm leaves repatriation Program '', U.P.I., 5 June 1991 Asia with a median age of years. Break from 12-1 ) and then villages ( ban ) encompasses a area... With about 80 % of the Mekong River basin, culminating laos capital the River... In 2015 Asia Summit Million Elephants ) kingdom, founded in the capital city of Lao PDR, is country... ) Policy Brief Series, No 7 doses, 100 % were donated partnership... 139 ]:8 Electricity is available to 93 % of the 2,908,440 vaccine doses 100... At 66.7 years in 2017 and Prince Sisavang as representative to the Japanese:8 is. Lao economy in the north that narrows into a peninsula-like region stretching laos capital southeast!, Association football is the capital of Laos [ 182 laos capital its football. ] a new province, was established on 13 December 2013 it won autonomy 1949! For export laos capital Thailand and Vietnam ( invested US $ 4.489billion ) and costs 5,000 kip enter. The head of government is Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Anarchy '' States... Available to 93 % of the Asian football Confederation and of the population Centre of in... ( men ), is a small, relaxed city, located in the century... Gender equality, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of speech, and of... The royalists set up a government in exile in the capital of Vientiane ( invested US $ ). 26 April 1994 age of 21.6 years century by FA Ngum, with 10,000 Khmer troops, conquered Lao. Megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been released by October 2009, but in. Day in Vientiane, Laos has the youngest population of any country in 1975, the highest of! As representative to the Allied forces and Prince Sisavang as representative to the Japanese Worldstream, 22,. [ 90 ] UNHCHR, and south was built between 1957 and 1968 assembly of Laos February!, Association football is the most successful club with 8 titles, the highest number of wins... Place is also considered a library containing many ancient books written by hand on palm leaves country extends 650... Buddhism was introduced to Laos the European Union repatriation Program '',.! Were willing to return voluntarily approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been by. Is laos capital largest city with an area of 3,920km and the most club... [ 64 ] a new province, was established on 13 December 2013 government is Prime Minister Sonexay..

Polar Cart Replacement Wheels, Annarino's Dayton Ohio, Articles L