Laos - attractions, interesting facts and places, culture, nature, traditions. Where should you stay? blood and moon

Briefly about the country of Laos. In general, among the peoples of the country of Laos and Thailand, i.e. Lao and Thai have a lot in common. Let's start with the fact that they used to be part of one state in the territory of the modern south of China. After they began to shift south to modern Cambodia - the kingdom of the Khmers.
At first they lived peacefully among the locals. Even the founder of the first Lao state, Fa Ngum, was the viceroy of the Khmer king. He later proclaimed the independent kingdom of Lan Xang. The state grew rapidly and annexed new territories. Luang Prabang was the first capital of Laos, followed by Vientiane. But, as often happens, after the death of the great ruler, the kingdom fell apart and fell under the rule of Siam (the ancient name of Thailand).
After the French came here and Laos became one of the colonies of France in Indochina. And only in 1953 the independent kingdom of Laos was again proclaimed. But then the communists came, the USSR came to their aid and 20 years later proclaimed the creation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. And after 40 years, I appeared in the country of Laos and will tell you how people live here now.

The country of Laos has never been a popular travel destination. Not entirely fair, but most are attracted by the islands of Thailand, the temples of Cambodia, the nature of Vietnam and the tribes of Indonesia. The Lao are very complex about the fact that they have no access to the sea. One of the employees of the ministry told me that when a delegation of Laos comes to a neighboring country, they always choose a trip to the sea. Regardless of what alternative they are offered.
However, in terms of natural heritage and its relief, the north of the country of Laos will easily give odds to many countries of Indochina. I especially remember one crossing, when I was driving for several hours in fog and dullness and suddenly the car drove out of the clouds. I thought this only happens when flying in an airplane, but it turns out that car trips in Laos can have the same effect.

History of the country of Laos

The country of Laos for its short story constantly passed from one ruler to another, gaining independence only for a short time.
Khmers (now Cambodia), Burma (now Myanmar), Siam (now Thailand), and after Vietnam and the French with their colonial ambitions. The French came to power in 1904. They ruled Laos remotely from Hanoi.
And then the Vietnam War began and the Americans bombed half of the country of Laos, trying to overcome the Vietnamese. The United States used the methods of non-contact warfare, when the enemy simply cannot respond. The first wave was in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the second - in the country of Laos and Vietnam, the third - in Yugoslavia and Iraq. Everything is interconnected in this world. So far, all over Laos, markets sell spoons and thousands more souvenirs made of aluminum, which the Laotians took from downed American planes.

As a person with a higher economic education, I could not help but explore the question of what keeps the economy of the country of Laos.
When the Communists allowed private enterprise in the country of Laos, the economy grew a little. Almost 80% of the population is employed in agriculture. Accordingly, rice, sweet potatoes, tea, buffaloes, piglets and chickens are exported. There are a few processing plants and even a stock exchange here. But there are, however, only two companies: the state bank and the energy company.
A lot of Laotians import goods, 70% of exports from Thailand. Therefore, part of this all ends up in the pockets of Laotian customs officers, and in terms of their well-being they can even be compared with officials.
And of course, drugs, opium, etc. In the north, at the junction of the countries of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand is the "Golden Triangle". Through it, as the locals say, a huge drug traffic flows, primarily opium is traded. In some restaurants in Laos, they can even bring you a special magical menu. It's sad, but that's the way it is.

Country Laos: population

In fact, the country of Laos is a small country in terms of population, only 6 million. The density is half that of China, with only 27 inhabitants per square kilometer. That's just the relief of Laos made its own adjustments to their resettlement. If earlier they all settled near the Mekong River, now another important transport artery has appeared - a highway from China to the capital, Vientiane, and from there to Thailand. Two-thirds of the population lives on the Mekong, and the remaining one-third near this road.
The entire northern half of the country of Laos is covered with mountains. Therefore, it is not possible to ride these roads quickly, but the views are fabulous. They couldn’t make a direct autobahn with tunnels in the mountains, as in China, but most likely they didn’t have enough money, and it’s even more likely that someone stole it.
On the banks of the Mekong, the Lao massively grow rice. But they eat rice differently than in China. They steam it for a long time until it becomes sticky. Then they take it with their hands, roll it around and eat it like bread with everything else. Most often, something resembling a salad of vegetables, which are abundant here, or fish that is caught in the Mekong. But gradually the fish resources of the Mekong begin to deplete due to the growth of fishing, population and hydroelectric power plants.

The Mekong River on the border of the country of Laos and Thailand

The main river of Indochina is the Mekong. It originates in Tibet, and then through the country of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, the river flows into the Ocean.
In Thai and Lao languages, which are as similar as Russian and Belarusian, this river is called Me Nam Khong. In translation Me Nam Khong is the Mother of Waters Ganges. And although the Mekong is in no way connected with the Indian river Ganges, at the religious level the connection is significant. Indeed, in the past, most of Indochina was part of the Khmer empire (present-day Cambodia), who professed Hinduism. And in Hinduism, the Mother of the Rivers Ganges has a special place.
Now almost the entire Lao-Thai border runs along the Mekong. This means that you should not swim far from the Laos side, so as not to be caught illegally crossing the border. On the other hand, it will also be an interesting adventure.

Taboo in Laos

The country of Laos has its own system of taboos and prohibitions, which you quickly get used to, many are intuitive. Otherwise, you will get a reprehensible look, a remark, or you will end up in jail.
One should not insult Buddha statues in any way, even if a couple of stones remain from the statue. Do not point your foot at people or statues. Do not touch the head of small children. Women are also forbidden to touch the monks or pass them something from hand to hand. It is customary to eat food with your hands, you need to take pictures of locals with permission.
Sometimes you can find small posters that teach tourists how to behave. There's a lot going on here, from having to take off your shoes when you enter a Laotian's house, to asking you not to take drugs and not to sleep with Lao women and underage summer girls. Apparently, for some, this is not obvious.

Country Laos and elephants

At one time in the past, the country of Laos was called "Lansang" or "Land of a Million Elephants". Since ancient times, these animals have been used in Indochina for a variety of jobs - logging, clearing fields, when conducting military operations, traveling through the impenetrable jungle, transporting goods and sacred relics. And the country of Laos itself used to supply trained elephants to all neighboring countries.
But today Laos is no longer the country of a million elephants. It's all about the Vietnam War. Then the famous "Ho Chi Minh Trail" passed through the country of Laos. Weapons, provisions, medicines, people were transferred to the partisans in the south along it. The jungle was excellent cover for the trail. The Americans knew about this and sprayed poisons and herbicides over the jungle without stopping, mercilessly bombed the trail: they dropped about three million tons of bombs, i.e. half a ton for each Laotian. All this, of course, affected the ecology of Laos, and the number of elephants decreased tenfold.

Since the border between Thailand and the country of Laos runs along the Mekong River, Indochinese elephants easily cross the river and enter Thailand without visas. Thus, they can easily travel throughout Indochina in general, despite the fact that this species is much weaker and smaller than African elephants.
Now the Indochinese species, by the way, is degenerating, since it has existed for many millennia and does not have time to adapt.
Although elephants are peaceful animals, they used to be indispensable in wars. For the time being, there was no tank equipment, their role was played by elephants, which crushed the enemy’s combat formation. Even in the 20th century, Japanese troops used elephants on a campaign against India, as the terrain in local forests nothing compares to them.
During the Vietnam War, elephants were killed by American pilots. Then they were replaced by local smugglers, because the profits from the sale of elephants in developed countries are huge. Here's how things are.

Laos(Laos. ປະເທດລາວ, Lau), full title - Lao People's Democratic Republic(Laos. ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ listen)) is a state in with a capital. In the west it borders with, in the east - with, in the south - with, in the north - with the province, in the north-west - with.

Story

Laos as a state originates in the 14th century, when the country was called Lan Sang Hom Khao ("Land of a million elephants and a white umbrella"). The Mon and Khmer tribes settled in Laos and formed their own states before the invasion of the Tai and Lao tribes from the north, who were driven south from South China by the Mongols. From the 12th century, Thai states (muangs) were formed in Laos, inhabited by the Tai and Lao tribes. From the XIV century on the territory of modern Laos, the state of Lan Xang was formed, from which it is customary to count the history of Laos. Since that time, there has been a separation of the Tai and Lao tribes; there are disputes between Thai and Lao historians about the identification of the Lao tribes.

After the decline of the Lan Xang state, Laos fell under the dependence of Siam in the 18th century, and in 1893, according to an agreement between and Siam, it went to, becoming part of the colonial territory of French Indochina.

During the Second World War, Laos was occupied by the Japanese, and in 1949 gained independence in the form of a kingdom led by King Sisawang Wong.

Internal conflicts in the late 1950s led to the start of a civil war in the country, in which North Vietnam and then intervened. During this period, the Lao People's Liberation Army (Pathet Lao), supported by North Vietnam, controlled a large area in the east of the country. fighting in Laos were directly related to the Vietnam War, since a significant part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail passed through the country, along which North Vietnam transferred its troops to the south. During the war, 250-260 million bombs were dropped on Laos. Newspaper " The New York Times wrote: "At least two million tons of bombs were dropped from 1964 to 1973, almost a ton for every Laotian." The bombings caused great damage to the civilian population, nature and economy of the country.

After the end of the Vietnam War, the United States ceased military activities in Indochina. The fighting in Laos ended in February 1973 with the signing of the Vientiane Agreement. Violating the agreement, the Pathet Lao forces launched an offensive in the spring of 1975 and occupied Vientiane in August. Within a few months, the structure of the coalition government was maintained, Pathet Lao pursued a moderate policy, but in December 1975, she took full power in the country into her own hands. On December 2, 1975, King Savang Wathana was forced to abdicate. The government was headed by the General Secretary of the People's Revolutionary Party of Laos, Kayson Phomvihan, who became the de facto ruler of the country. With the support of the USSR, it was formed Lao People's Democratic Republic. Already in 1975, the Lao authorities proclaimed the transition to the socialist path of development. Central planning was introduced in the country, collectivization and nationalization were launched. The theoretical basis for the transformations was the thesis of Kason Fomvikhan, put forward in 1972, about the transition to socialism "bypassing the capitalist stage." However, already in the early 1980s, the Lao PDR authorities began to change their policy.

In 1986, the transition to a "new economic mechanism" was announced (" chin taakan may”), and in 1988 the Investment Promotion Act and the Foreign Investment Law were passed. Contents of the policy chin taakan may» was determined by three points: privatization and restructuring of the public sector, the encouragement of foreign investment and the transition to a market under state control. Further transformations in Laos were similar to Doi Moi's policy in Vietnam and Deng Xiaoping's reforms. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the collective farms were actually dissolved: the peasant individual farm received the right to long-term (sometimes lifelong) use of the cultivated land, the right to inherit and pledge it. Active stimulation of small and medium-sized businesses began. A feature of Laos was the ban on the construction of large industrial facilities introduced during this period (except for those built with foreign investment). A number of enterprises have been privatized. In the early 1990s, it was allowed to create private banks and businesses. In 1990, free economic zones were created in the country. In the future, the policy chin taakan may” was continued - in 2003, the law guaranteed that foreign investment would not be nationalized.

After a short border conflict, friendly relations were established with, and in the 1990s relations were normalized with and relations were established with a number of other countries and international organizations.

Domestic politics

Laos has a one-party system, the country is governed by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PRPL) of the communist type. The President of Laos is elected by Parliament for a five-year term. The Government is headed by the Prime Minister of Laos, who is appointed by the President upon approval by the National Assembly. Government policy is determined by the Party through the nine-member Politburo and the 49-member Central Committee.

The new constitution of Laos, which establishes the procedure for elections to the parliament (National Assembly), was adopted in 1991. Despite the one-party system, elections to the Lao parliament are formally held partially on an alternative basis - in the 2016 vote, 211 candidates competed for 149 mandates.

After the death of Kason Phomvikhan, who headed the PRPL for 36 years, and the country for 16 years, that is, until his death, a state regime close to the Chinese was established in Laos, in which the leader of the party and state remains in office for a limited amount of time (maximum for present - 10 years), after which he resigns and is replaced by another member of the leadership of the NRPL.

Foreign policy

After the Pathet Lao coup in December 1975, the foreign policy of Laos can be characterized as opposition to the West. In 1975, Laos had diplomatic relations with only 43 countries.

Laos associated itself with the Soviet bloc and maintained close ties with the USSR; in addition, in 1977 an agreement on friendship and cooperation was signed with, which complicated cooperation with. Over the years, Laos and the pro-Western had a strained relationship that culminated in armed clashes on the borders throughout 1987. After those events, the leaders of the two countries signed a communiqué, which became a signal for the normalization of relations. Since the early 1990s, there has been slow but steady progress in relations, as the Friendship Bridge can be seen as an indicator.

After the collapse of the Soviet bloc and the decrease in support from Vietnam, Laos began to actively develop regional ties. At the same time, the Lao PDR pursues a policy of balancing between three neighbors: Thailand, China and Vietnam. This policy avoids unilateral dependence on any one neighbor, since socialist China and Vietnam are rivals. For example, large groups of Lao executives are trained in the PRC and Vietnam. In 2008 alone, 3,638 Laotians studied in Vietnam, and in 2007, 223 citizens of the Lao PDR trained in Vietnam. In fiscal year 2008/09, China's approved direct investment was $239.4 million (32 projects) and Vietnam's $1,349.8 million (38 projects).

The exit from international isolation was accompanied by the development and expansion of relations with countries such as Australia, and. As a result, already in 2005 Laos had diplomatic relations with 122 states. An important feature foreign policy Laos is actively attracting foreign aid, and from the most different states. For example, in 2005, it allocated 300 million yen in assistance to the Lao PDR for the purchase of food for flood victims, canceled a debt of 594 million yen, and also transferred several primary schools. in the same year, she donated equipment for schools to Laos, allocated a grant for the construction of a center for drug addicts, and has been giving money since 1993 for the construction and modernization of roads. In addition, Laos received assistance from the UN and FAO. In 2006, the country was declared drug-free.

In 2004, trade relations were normalized with. In fiscal year 2006, the US gave Laos $13.4 million in aid (weapons destruction, health care, education, economic development). In 2004, US President George W. Bush signed into law a bill to expand trade ties with Laos. In February 2005, a bilateral trade agreement came into force. Then there was an increase in the share of Lao exports to the United States, however, relative to other countries, this figure is still small. Bilateral trade in 2006 reached a turnover of $15.7 million, up from $8.9 million in 2003.

Laos joined ASEAN in July 1997 and was admitted to the World Trade Organization in 2013.

At the moment, Laos is a member of such international organizations as: Organization for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), ASEAN Regional Forum, Asian Development Bank, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific Ocean(ESCAP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Group of 77 (G77), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO), International Development Association (IDA), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations, International Labor Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Intelsat (non-voting), Interpol , International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mekong River Commission, Non-Aligned Movement, Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), United Nations, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UNESCO, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), World Postal Union (UPU), World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), World Organization(WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Meteorological Organization, World Tourism Organization.

Population

The population of the Democratic Republic in 2013 was 6.77 million; share of the urban population - 33%; population growth rate in 2010-2015 will be 1.3%, life expectancy will be 66 years for men and 69 years for women.

According to the average forecast, the population of the country by 2100 will be 11.6 million people.

A significant part of the population is concentrated along the Mekong River and, in particular, near the capital. The mountainous regions in the north and east of the country are sparsely populated. 95% of the country's population lives along the border with Thailand.

Ethnic composition of the population

Despite the small population, about 70 different tribes and nationalities live in Laos. The entire multinational population of Laos is usually divided into three groups: Lao-Lum, Lao-Teng and Lao-Sung. Each group includes tribes and nationalities united by common ethnolinguistic features, place of settlement and way of life.

• Lao-lum live on the plains, along big rivers and in cities. These include the main people of the Lao and related mountain Thai (Thai-nya, Thai black, Thai white, Phutthai, Yuan), this group includes 67% of the population.
• The Lao Teng live on the spurs of the hills and in the low mountains, many tribes belong to this category; overall, they make up 22% of the population. They are considered the ancient population of Laos, on holidays the Laotians bring them a symbolic tribute for the right to inhabit their territory. The Lao Teng includes mountain Mons (Khamu, Lamet, Puteng and others) and mountain Khmers (Sui, Alak, Katang, Taoi and others), whose languages ​​belong to the Mon-Khmer family.
• The Lao Sung inhabit higher regions, above 1000 meters above sea level. These areas are usually distant from cities and rivers and are less accessible. Their share is 10% of the population. These include, in particular, the peoples of Miao (Hmong), Yao (Mien), Lahu, Lisu, Akha.

The largest foreign group is formed by the Vietnamese and the Chinese. There are few Khmers, Indians, Burmese, Japanese and others.

In Laos, the languages ​​​​of the Thai-Kadai (Thai-Lao), Mon-Khmer and Tibeto-Burman groups and the Miao-Yao group are common. According to ethnolinguistic criteria, the population of Laos is divided into 49 ethnic groups and more than 90 subgroups.

Administrative division

Administrative divisions of Laos

Laos is divided into 16 provinces ( kweng), the metropolitan prefecture and the metropolitan municipality. The provinces are divided into 140 districts, consisting of 11,000 communes.

Geography

Physical map of Laos

Laos is landlocked. The territory of Laos is covered with dense forests, the landscape consists of low hills and mountains; point c greatest height- Bia (2830 m). The Mekong River flows along the border of Laos with Thailand and Myanmar, the border with Vietnam is separated by the Truong Son Mountains. Laos is a predominantly mountainous country.

The climate is subequatorial monsoon, characterized by the division of the year into two seasons - the summer rainy monsoon period from May to October and the winter dry period from November to April.

Very major cities in Laos, none other than the capital. Other relatively large cities are (50 thousand), Savannakhet (since 2005 - Kayson Fomvikhan) (70 thousand) and (90 thousand inhabitants).

Economy

Since 1986, state control over the economy has been loosened in Laos and private enterprise has been allowed. This led to a sharp rise in the economy (from a very low level), but growth is constrained by insufficient infrastructure development (there are no railways, a network highways small). In 2003, the first Free Economic Zone was created in the country. The basis of the economy is agriculture.

GDP per capita in 2014 - $5 thousand (168th place in the world). Below the poverty level - 30.3% of the population (2012). The GDP of the Republic of Laos was $11.7 billion in 2014.

Agriculture (80% of employees, 30% of GDP) - sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; buffaloes, pigs, poultry.

Industry (33% of GDP) - mining of copper, tin, gold; logging, hydropower; processing of agricultural products, production of clothing.

Forestry is also developed, a new era of which began with the organization of the cultivation of hevea. In 1994, Chinese investors set up the country's first rubber plantations in Luang Namtha province, and in 2009, 140,626 hectares were officially occupied with hevea. Plantations of other industrial forest crops have also been created - first of all, eucalyptus. In 2009, 396 thousand hectares were occupied under industrial forest crops (hevea, eucalyptus and others). earth.

On January 12, 2011, the country's first stock exchange opened in Laos, where securities of four companies are traded, including the state bank and the electric power company of Laos.

The production of opium and heroin is developed in Laos, mainly in the northern provinces of Phongsali and Huaphan. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), opium poppy cultivation peaked in 1998, when more than 25,000 hectares were under cultivation. After a sharp drop in the mid-2000s, opium production began to grow again, and in 2015, opium poppy was grown on 5.7 thousand hectares. There are no exact data on opium production, according to UNP estimates in 2015 it could be from 84 to 176 tons Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2015 (eng.) (pdf). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. United Nations. Retrieved June 8, 2016.

Energy

In the 2000s, a sharp increase in electricity generation was noted: from 3,653.7 GWh in 2001 to 12,979.5 GWh in 2011. Most of the energy produced is exported - 2871.4 GWh in 2001 and 10668.4 GWh in 2011.

Industry

In the 1990s - 2000s, industries - clothing and construction - developed in Laos. If in 1990 about 800 people were employed in the country's clothing industry, then in 2012 - already more than 30 thousand people (about 20% of the number employed in the industry of Laos). Basically, clothing factories are owned by foreigners (or mixed in terms of capital) and are located mainly in. An important industry is woodworking - more than 25,000 employed people work both for the domestic market and for export. There are also about 20 small factories in the country that assemble household electrical appliances (hair dryers, air conditioners, kitchen appliances, etc.) for the domestic market and parts for external supplies. In 1991-1992, the first motorcycle assembly plants were opened. The mining industry is represented by a copper mining plant and a gold mining plant. In 2007, the mining industry in Laos produced:

• 70 thousand tons of copper;
• 3.5 thousand tons of tin;
• 6.5 tons of gold.

There are two cement plants and about 20 plastics factories.

International trade

Laos exports ($1.4 billion in 2008) - timber, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold. Major buyers: (35.4%), (15.5%) and (8.5%).

Imports ($2.3 billion in 2008) - industrial products, fuel, consumer goods. Main suppliers: (68.3%), (10.4%), (5.8%).

Opium smuggling was estimated to have reached $4 million a year in the 1960s.

Transport

In 1983, in Laos, the length of roads was 11,125 km (with asphalt - 766 km). By 2005, the length of roads in the country was 31,205 km (including 4,500 km with asphalt pavement). All provincial centers have access to the main highways. Lao roads are being built with the support of ASEAN and are connected to the roads of China and Vietnam. Three bridges were built across the Mekong in the 1990s - 2000s, connecting Laos and Thailand. In 2008, the first 3.5 km long railway in Lao PDR was launched from Thailand to Laos.

Religion

The majority of the population professes Theravada Buddhism. Many tribes of the Lao Teng and Lao Sung groups are animists with their own systems of honoring nature spirits and performing rituals. There is a small number of Christians, Muslims and Hindus.

mass media

State radio company - LNR ( Lao National Radio"Lao National Radio") - includes the radio station of the same name, launched in 1960. State broadcaster - LNT ( Lao National Television"Lao National Television"), which includes the channels LNTV1 (launched in 1983) and LNTV3 (launched in 1994).

On January 2, 2001, the Lao government sold the rights to the ccTLD for Laos (.la) to the city of . Citizens and organizations of any country can register .la domains without restrictions.

see also

Laos

Notes

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9. TAX INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE BUSINESS IN THE LEAST DEVELOPED REGION OF SEA (MYANMAR, CAMBODIA, LAOS)
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42. "LOS ANGELES is the world's first city to be awarded its own unique internet address:LA."

Literature

• Laos. Directory / Managing editor V. A. Tyurin. - M.: Nauka, 1980. - S. 263.
• Afonin D.S. - Children of Khunborom. - M., 2000
• Ioanesyan S. I. - Laos in the XX century (economic development). - M., 2003
• Ioanesyan S.I. - Laos: socio-economic development (late XIX - 60s of the XX century). - M., 1972
• Ioanesyan S.I. - Lao People's Democratic Republic. - M., 1979
• Kobelev E. V. - Lao People's Democratic Republic. - M., 1978 (New in life, science, technology. Series "At the political map of the world", 2)
• Kozhevnikov V. A. - Essays on the recent history of Laos. - M., 1979
• Laos. Directory. - M., 1994
• Mikheev Yu. Ya. - Lao People's Democratic Republic. Directory. - M., 1985
• Morev L. N. - Lao Literature (in the book "Concise Literary Encyclopedia", vol. 4, M., 1967)
• Petrakov VV - Old postcards of exotic Laos. - M., 2006 (ZHUK magazine, No. 02-03 (10-11) July-September 2006)
• Russian-Lao dictionary: 24,000 words and expressions / L. V. Larionova et al.; ed. L. N. Moreva; Institute of Linguistics RAS; Institute of Oriental Studies RAS; Institute for the Study of the Culture of Laos. - M., 2004
• Skvortsov VN - White elephants of luck. - M., 1983
• Stratanovich G. G., Chesnov Y. V. - The peoples of Laos (in the book "Peoples of Southeast Asia". - M., 1966)
• Shchedrov I. M. - Republic on the Mekong. - M., 1983

Links

• Laos at the Open Directory Project Links Directory (dmoz)
• Journey through Laos from south to north
• Head of state and cabinet members
• Laos in the world book of facts. US Central Intelligence Agency.
• Country profile on BBC News
• Laos at UCB Libraries GovPubs
• Laos in Britannica
• Laos at Tageo.com
• Laos National Tourism Administration
• Key forecasts for the development of Laos

In the center of the Indochina peninsula, a small but many-sided Laos is located - a state that is still little known in mass tourism. Occasionally, fans of the exotic go here on an independent trip. Laos is landlocked, but there are ancient temples, traditional villages hidden in the tropical jungle, mysterious caves, picturesque mountains and an amazing way of life.

Geographic location of Laos

Where the state of Laos is located and with which countries it borders can be clearly seen on the world map. In the northwestern part of the country there is a border with. Thanks to this geolocation, Laos fell into the "golden triangle" at the junction of Thailand and Burma. In terms of area, the country of Laos occupies 236,800 square kilometers. km.

Climatic features and nature of the state

Laos has a subequatorial monsoonal climate. Air temperature in different regions fluctuates with elevation. The average annual summer temperature is +28…+30ºС. In winter, it is noticeably cooler - + 15 ... + 23ºС. In the Mekong area, the hottest period is from April to May. At this time, the air warms up to + 35ºС. It is cool in the mountains all year round: in summer the daytime temperature fluctuates around +29ºС, and in winter it is really frosty - up to +7ºС. Three climatic seasons prevail in Laos: dry hot, wet and dry cool.

Lao nature is striking in its diversity. 50% of the country's territory is occupied rainforests: laurels, ferns, palm trees, thickets of bamboo and lagestremia. The relief here is predominantly mountainous. Mount Bia is considered the most majestic, its height reaches 2819 m. The main waterway in Laos is deep river Mekong, and waterfalls delight every traveler. The flora and fauna in northern Laos are unique. Here you can meet huge herds of Indian elephants, tigers, marbled panthers, colorful parrots and peacocks.

Political system and symbolism

In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the president is the head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces. The highest legislative body is the National Assembly, which elects a new president after a five-year term. The state structure in Laos is determined by the Constitution, the form of government is republican. The country is made up of 16 provinces, a metropolitan prefecture and a municipality. The provinces are divided into 140 districts, which consist of 11,000 communes.

The coat of arms and the flag of Laos look quite interesting. The national shrine of the country is applied to the coat of arms, a section of the wheel of the mechanism is depicted in the lower part. The inscription on the coat of arms on the left means "Independence and Democracy", on the right - "Unity and Prosperity", and in the middle - "People's Democratic Republic of Laos". The flag of Laos consists of three horizontally arranged rectangular stripes of blue and red. There is a white circle in the center of the blue rectangle.

Many tourists do not know what currency is used in Laos. National monetary unit is the Lao kip, which is issued in denominations of 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 LAK. There are no coins in circulation. You can also pay in Thai baht and US dollars. The population of Laos is 6,803,699. The official language of Laos is Lao (Lao), but many locals speak Thai, English and French. The main religion is Buddhism, but some tribes in Laos practice animism. Christians and Muslims meet.

The largest cities in Laos

In this Asian state, there are quite large cities that are especially interesting to visit:

What to see in Laos?

The country has enough sights of both natural origin and man-made. Definitely worth a look:

• the temple of the golden city - an exotic place where the most cherished desires come true;
• in the capital of Laos with its numerous religious sculptures, some reaching 40 m high;
• Bokeo Reserve, created to protect black gibbons. Here you can see elephants, tigers, wild buffaloes and bears;
• the village of Nong Khiawa, which has become one of the most popular tourist destinations due to its picturesque scenery;
• - a historical and archaeological monument in Laos with mysterious objects in the form of jugs;
• Tam Kong Lo - a karst 7-kilometer cave with a luminous sacred pool inside;
• in the south of Laos, widely known for its majestic waterfalls;
• , filled with many Buddha figurines of various shapes and sizes;
• - a historical landmark of Laos, from which only the ruins of an ancient temple complex remained;
• monasteries of Laos, striking tourists with their serenity and unique architecture.

Entertainment and recreation

Laos is a great choice for tourists who like active or calm family holiday. Especially popular are such activities as trekking, rafting, cycling around the outskirts of the country, descents into caves and rafting on the Mekong River. accompanied by an experienced guide, they will give you an acquaintance with stunning landscapes, exotic flora and fauna, ancient religion and fairy culture.

Holidays in the resorts of Laos are different from our usual understanding, and beach holiday not provided here at all. However, there are many unknown mysterious routes. Do not miss the opportunity to get on. Every year in February, a traditional - fantastic spectacle is held, which is accompanied by carnivals, musical performances, performances, fireworks and elephant coronations.

Where should you stay?

Most are 2-4-storey buildings with a standard set of services, pleasant service and rooms in the national style. Currently, the so-called boutique hotels located in Lao villas are becoming more and more popular. The interior of such places of residence is decorated in colonial style, and the time that tourists will spend here promises to be as comfortable as possible.

The most expensive and luxurious hotels are concentrated in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Among them are The Luang Say Residence, Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel, Sofitel Luang Prabang Hotel, The Luang Say Residence and others. Such options include a swimming pool, tennis court, free internet and Wi-Fi. Tourists with a modest budget can stay in cozy and inexpensive hostels in Laos.

Cuisine and restaurants of Laos

The basis is considered to be rice (white, fried and sticky), various spices and sauces. No less popular are noodles, which are used as a side dish or an independent dish. Locals at cooking national dishes use a lot of greens and vegetables. A very important place in the cuisine of Laos is occupied by freshwater fish with lime, chili, garlic or mint. In Asian restaurants, you can try chanam tuk beef salad with greens, fish in coconut milk and spicy fried catfish.

Get to know better local cuisine you can by visiting the Makphet restaurant, where you will meet with fried fish "sushi-pa-gnon", chicken stuffed with rice and cinnamon. At Lao Kitchen you can enjoy exotic delicacies from squirrels, snakes and lizards. Gourmets should look into Namaste India, Pimenton, Jamil Zahid Punjabi Restaurant. Since there are plenty of restaurants in Laos, the cost of food does not break the wallet. On average, tourists pay no more than $10-15 per person for dinner, and you can eat even cheaper in numerous street cafes.

Shopping features

Like most other Asian countries, Laos is characterized by a fascinating and inexpensive lifestyle. What to buy in the numerous stores of Laos? Local silk, gold and silver jewelry, leather and wood products, embroidered shoes and clothes, as well as various souvenirs and paintings are well sold here. Traveling around Laos, one cannot help but look at local markets, the most famous of which is the capital. It works daily from 07:00 to 16:00. Talat Sao is focused on tourists, so you can buy anything here.

Bargaining is practiced in private shops, souvenir shops and markets, since the initial prices are much higher. Among the interesting facts about Laos, it is worth noting the strange behavior of sellers in the provinces: actively bargaining, they do not reduce the price of a kip. In this case, look at the seller next door, who will be very happy to see you. You can pay with a bank card only in large stores in the country, but in the provinces they are not accepted for payment at all. It is most profitable to exchange currency at a bank.

Safety for tourists

Laos - quite safe country. Violent crime is extremely rare here. Tourists should still be wary of petty thieves and not neglect the basic precautions: do not carry all the cash, jewelry and documents with you. It should also be remembered that unexploded shells lie in the eastern regions of Laos to this day, so it is better to go there with a guide. In addition, you need to take care of your health in advance: get vaccinated against malaria and stock up on mosquito repellents. To call anywhere, use the code +856.

Transport connection

One of the main types is the bus. You can travel between cities within the country by tourist buses equipped with air conditioning, TV and toilets. For short trips, locals and tourists travel by tuk-tuks. Taxi rides are very popular. In Laos, you can easily, motorcycle or bicycle. Prices for this type of service are still relatively high. To save time within the country, you can use by air: flights between major cities Laos is operated by Lao Airlines. There is no rail link in the state.

How to get to Laos?

It is most convenient to get into the country by transit flights of Lao Airlines, Thai Airlines and Aeroflot through Thailand, Vietnam, and China. It is best to choose flights through Bangkok. 3 km west of Vientiane is Laos International Airport, Wattay. You can also get into the state by land, crossing the border with China and Thailand. The question of whether a visa is needed to Laos worries every traveler. A visa is not required to visit the country for up to 15 days.

There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency, but the amount of more than $2000 will have to be declared. But the export and import of the national currency, weapons, narcotic drugs, explosives and poisonous substances is prohibited. Duty-free import applies to cigars (up to 500 pieces), tobacco (up to 500 g), jewelry (also up to 500 g), 2 bottles of wine and 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages.

), Laos appears to be an almost unfamiliar destination for Russian travelers. Until 1988, the country was isolated and tourists were not allowed into its territory. And although now the borders are already open, and the visa regime is very simplified, the aura of mystery still does not leave Laos.

A few centuries ago, on the site of modern Laos, there was a powerful state with a poetic name Lan Xang, which means "Kingdom of millions of elephants." At the end of the 19th century, the French colonizers came here, their legacy - colonial European architecture - shapes the appearance of many Lao cities today.

Unfortunately, the socialist experiments of the last century brought the country into a deplorable economic situation. But, despite all the hardships, the locals managed to maintain optimism and good nature, the Laotians are exceptionally hospitable and friendly towards tourists.

Laos - although small country but extremely versatile. There are ancient cities and mysterious caves, mountains, waterfalls and impenetrable jungle. Travelers usually come to Laos for 1-2 days as part of tours in Vietnam or Thailand, however, the excursion potential of Laos and the local opportunities for outdoor activities make it possible to plan a separate trip to this amazing country.

Climate and weather

The climate of Laos is subequatorial monsoon. When preparing for a trip to Laos, travelers should take into account that there are three seasons here. The first - dry and hot - lasts from February to April. In May, the humid hot period begins, which lasts until October. From November to February in Laos it is dry and cool.

The air temperature in different regions varies greatly depending on the altitude of the area. For example, the Mekong Valley is hottest in April and May. At this time, the daytime temperature rises to +35 °C. The coldest months in the lowland are December and January, when during the day the air warms up to +27 °C, and at night the temperature drops to +13…+15 °C. In the mountains, of course, it is generally cooler: in April, the daytime temperature reaches +29 ° C, and in December - only +21 ° C, January nights can be noticeably cold (+7 ° C).

More precipitation falls in the mountains than in the plains: up to 3500 mm against 2000 mm. The rainiest time in Laos is summer, when the monthly portion of precipitation can be 300-500 mm. But for the whole winter it rarely falls more than 20 mm.

The best time to travel to Laos is from November to February, and in mountainous areas it is comfortable until July.

Nature

Laos is a land of mountains. Although they are not too high and rarely exceed 2000 meters, their relief is very dissected. This relief and the dense forests that cover the mountains prevent active communication between Laos and neighboring countries. The highest and impenetrable mountains are in the north of Laos. ridges Dending, Shamshao, Shusung Tyaotai dotted with deep gorges. The western border of the country runs along the ridge Luang Prabang Mountains rise in the southeast Truong Son height up to 2700 meters. The highest mountain in Laos Bia(2819 m).

With the same confidence, Laos can be called a country of forests. Even in the middle of the last century, forests occupied approximately 70% of the country's territory. Today this figure is already 50%. Evergreen humid subtropical forests reign in the north of Laos: laurels, magnolias, ferns, lianas. At an altitude of 1500 meters, they pass into mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, where oaks, pines, and chestnuts grow. In the central part of Laos, thickets of bamboo, teak, dipterocarpus, and lagerstromia predominate. Palm trees, tree ferns, fruit trees appear in the south.

The fauna of Laos is unique in its own way. Large herds of Indian elephants have been preserved here to this day. There are tigers, leopards, marble panthers in the forests. You can meet Malayan and white-breasted bears. Not very rare - marsh lynx and palm marten. Quite a lot of wild bulls (guyals and bantengs), buffaloes, deer. Of the fearsome reptiles, pythons and cobras live in Laos. In the country big variety birds: from colorful parrots and peacocks to doves and ducks.

Attractions

The main asset and pride of Laos is the most beautiful temples. There are 32 of them in Luang Prabang alone! In the capital of Laos, Vientiane, the most revered is the temple of the XVI century Wat Si Muang(Wat Si Muang). Here they worship not so much the Buddha as the spirits of the city. According to legend, the spirits live in the yellow column standing here, which was found on the site of one of the ancient Khmer cities.

The top list of Lao attractions also includes a symbol of the unity of the nation - a stupa. That Luang(Pha That Luang) in Vientiane. The monument was erected in the 16th century, and acquired its current appearance at the beginning of the last century thanks to French restorers. Here is the official residence of the Buddhist patriarch of the country.

The Valley is located in the northeast of Laos. Jah- a mysterious place where several hundred stone urns lie, the origin and purpose of which archaeologists are still scratching their heads. The largest of the urns weighs 10.6 tons. It has been established that the urns were carved about two thousand years ago from stone, which is not found in the nearby territories.

Definitely recommend to visit Champasak- one of ancient cities Laos. It used to be the capital of the kingdom Chenla. There is a complex of ruins here Wat Phou which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. But the most interesting thing in Champasak is a labyrinth of 4000 islands Si Phan Don. In addition to the fabulous beauty, the place is famous for its large population of rare Irrawaddy dolphins.

Nutrition

The cuisine of Laos not only absorbed the culinary traditions of local peoples, but also borrowed best features from the cuisine of neighbors - Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and China.

The basis of the meal in Laos, as in other Asian countries, is rice. The usual Laotian menu includes "white rice", fried rice ("khao phat") and "sticky rice" in balls that are dipped in numerous types of sauces. Noodles are also popular - in soup ("foe") and as a side dish or an independent dish, such as fried noodles "khua".

Freshwater fish occupies an important place on the Lao table. Be sure to try "laap"- a fish dish with rice, lime, garlic, green onion, mint and chili. Delicious things like fish in coconut milk are also good. "sushi dad", Fried fish "sushi-pa-gnon" and spicy fried catfish.

Meat, although not as popular as fish, is a beef salad with herbs. "channam-tuk" surely you will like it. But there are many poultry dishes in Lao restaurants: chicken stuffed with rice and cinnamon, fried chicken "kai-lao" stewed with quail cabbage. There are also exotic delicacies from the meat of snakes, squirrels, lizards.

Mint, lime juice, lemongrass, coriander are commonly used as seasonings. Instead of salt, various fish sauces are often used. Garlic, basil, hot pepper, peanut butter, coconut milk and Indian date juice are also actively added to the dishes.

There are many restaurants in Laos, while the cost of food does not hit the pocket even in establishments that are considered expensive. In a mid-range restaurant, you won’t have to pay more than $ 10-15 per person for dinner, and in numerous street cafes you can eat a hearty meal at several times cheaper.

Accommodation

Most hotels in Laos are 2-4-storey guest houses with a minimum set of services and a unique flavor. It's inexpensive family hotels, where hot water and air conditioning will not necessarily be present, but the room will be decorated in the national style. Before settling in such hotels, you should check the availability of the necessary amenities.

Recently, in Laos, in particular, in Luang Prabang, boutique hotels have become popular, which are located in two- and three-story villas. The interior of the rooms, as a rule, is made in the colonial style. Boutique hotels have all the amenities, and accommodation here promises to be very comfortable.

There are not very many hotels in the European sense in Laos, but those that are, as a rule, have categories according to the European system for assessing the quality of hotel service. The most expensive and luxurious hotels are concentrated in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. On the territory of the hotels there will definitely be a swimming pool, a fitness center and a tennis court; spa centers and conference rooms are usually also offered to guests. Internet and Wi-Fi are usually free. Breakfast is included in the cost of living only in large hotels, in the rest it is offered for an additional fee. In general, prices for accommodation in Lao hotels are lower than in European hotels of the same category.

Entertainment and recreation

Laos is a great place for those who love outdoor activities. Activities such as rafting, trekking, cycling, cave visits and trips along the Mekong River are very popular here.

In Laos, there is no sea and beaches, but there are plenty of routes for rafting. Good for river rafting Nam Lik And Nam Ngum near Vientiane, along the river Nam Na in the Luang Namtha area. The most impassable is the river Nam Fa, where there are the most thresholds.

Cave lovers admit that Laos is real paradise for speleologists. The most popular, well-lit cave - Tham Chang- located near Luang Prabang. The most interesting thing is to visit the Elephant Cave ( Tham Xang), which owes its name to a stalactite in the shape of an elephant's head. This cave is also notable for its natural swimming pool.

Walks along the Mekong will not leave indifferent connoisseurs of natural beauties. On Don Khon Island in the middle of the river, you can watch the life of dolphins.

Purchases

Like most South Asian countries, Laos is famous for its interesting and inexpensive shopping. In the capital of Laos, Vientiane, everything is about twice as expensive as in other cities, but still the prices are very affordable compared to Russian ones.

In Laos, they usually buy local silk, wood and leather products, embroidered clothes and shoes, silver and gold jewelry, various souvenirs and kitchen utensils, as well as paintings and CDs with national music.

Shopping in Laos is unthinkable without visiting local markets. The most famous is Vientiane Talat Sao or Morning Market. This largest covered market in the capital is a two-story building, which contains an abundance of shops and cafes. The shopping center is designed for tourists, and you can buy anything here, from souvenirs to household appliances. The market works Talat Sao daily from 07:00 to 16:00.

If you want more exotic, visit the markets where locals go shopping. Fresh meat, fish, vegetables and fruits are much cheaper in such places.

Bargaining is encouraged in private shops and markets. Starting prices are usually high. By the way, in the province of Laos, you can encounter strange behavior of sellers: they can actively bargain, but at the same time not reduce the price by a single cent. In such cases, we advise you to go to a nearby seller - for sure, his prices will be more attractive.

Bank cards are accepted for payment in large stores, but in the provinces it is almost impossible to pay with them. It is most profitable to change currency in banks, but keep in mind that some banks only accept dollars or Thai baht.

Transport

In general, transport links in Laos are developing quite rapidly. For example, if until recently asphalt roads were a rarity, now primers remain only in remote areas. From Vientiane to Pakse And Luang Prabang the roads are excellent.

Local aviation is a company Lao Airlines. It operates flights between many cities in Laos. And here railway transport there is none in the country, although there are 12 kilometers of railway that have not been used for a long time.

Travelers can comfortably move between cities on tourist buses. They are much more expensive than usual, but they are equipped with air conditioning, TVs and toilets. If you want local exotics, choose ordinary shabby buses. True, you will have to go not only with the Laotians, but also with what they bought or are carrying to sell - vegetables, fruits, animals and other bulky goods.

Today, it is still possible to move along the rivers of Laos on slow motor boats, but with the development of the highway, this transport is becoming a thing of the past. Even local residents are increasingly choosing buses, as boats cannot be called comfortable: people are stuffed into them like herring in a barrel. We do not recommend driving on “fast” motorboats for your safety.

Taxi is very popular among tourists. Remember that local taxis do not keep meters, the cost of the trip must be negotiated before boarding. The approximate fare is $ 0.5 per kilometer.

As for the rental of transport, you can rent a bicycle or motorcycle everywhere. True, we do not recommend renting motorcycles to drivers without serious experience in driving this vehicle. You can rent a car in the capital Vientiane, Pakse and Luang Prabang, but this service is not yet very developed and prices are high.

Connection

Internet and network technology services are developing quite actively in Laos. Internet cafes of the company are common in cities Laonet. The cost of services varies depending on the distance from the capital and can be quite big: from $1 to $10 per hour.

Cellular communication in Laos is mainly represented by the GSM 900 standard. It should be noted that good quality communication is observed only in the capital. Roaming is provided by companies Lao Telecommunications And Millicom Lao, tourists from Russia can easily stay in touch.

But ordinary phones in Laos, oddly enough, are rare. There are no more than 70 thousand lines in the country. Radiotelephones are used to communicate with remote areas. Public pay phones can only be found on the central streets of cities, near banks and shopping centers. Calling cards can be purchased at the post office, in shops and offices of telephone operators. However, due to the high cost of international communication and the low face value of cards ($2-6), it can be impossible to make a call using one card - the card ends before the subscriber has time to say “hello”. Therefore, we advise you to call abroad from post offices or from offices Telecom.

Safety

Laos is quite safe. Although wars, coupled with economic devastation, brought local population to a beggarly state, this did not lead to an increase in crime, as in many countries with a similar situation. Violent crime in Laos is extremely rare.

The main problem for a traveler in Laos, as in all tourist places, is petty theft. So you should not neglect reasonable security measures: watch your belongings, do not carry large sums of money with you, and do not show off expensive jewelry or watches.

You can travel around the country without fear for personal safety, but there is a Special Zone along the Cambodian border Sisombun which is currently closed to tourists. It should also be borne in mind that in the eastern regions of Laos, thousands of unexploded bombs and mines still lie in the ground - a terrible legacy Vietnam War. Therefore, if you are planning trips to areas east of Savannakhet, take care of local guide. Be sure to follow the main rule: do not walk through the fields and untrodden paths, do not go to the side of the paths and roads.

To maintain health, we recommend preventive measures against malaria: vaccinations, mosquito repellents. Do not drink tap water, be sure to purchase bottled water. Products purchased at the market must be thoroughly processed before eating.

Business climate

Although Laos has great potential to become the "economic miracle" of Southeast Asia, it is still far from being an attractive investment destination. Unpredictable government policies and economic decline, human trafficking, labor shortages and pollution environment All these factors scare off potential foreign investors.

At the same time, the Department of Promotion and Management of Domestic and Foreign Investments of Laos has determined a number of preferences for foreign investors, primarily with regard to taxes. Thus, an incentive tax rate of 20% is applied to foreigners (35% to local companies), and income tax is 10%. Non-tax benefits are also established for foreign companies: it is allowed to hire foreign specialists, lease land for up to 50 years, and it is guaranteed protection against nationalization or requisition without compensation.

To date, these positive changes, unfortunately, are not able to significantly affect the business climate in Laos: it is still very difficult to develop your business in this country. The World Bank and International Finance Corporation, analyzing the ease of doing business in their economic survey, ranked Laos 171 out of 183 countries.

Real estate

Since Laos has been in a long political isolation, at present foreigners do not yet seek to acquire property in this country. In addition, the formation of the real estate market here is in its infancy, the proposals are mainly limited to the capital Vientiane and the cities of Pakse and Luang Prabang.

The main obstacle to foreign investment in real estate is local laws, according to which the land belongs to the state, and foreigners can not own land or real estate. Only long-term lease of an apartment or house up to 30 years is possible, and commercial real estate - up to 50 years, but the extension of the contract is not guaranteed. Recently, such a form of housing ownership as an apartment in a condominium has been slowly spreading, but, again, foreigners cannot register the ownership of such an apartment for themselves, but are forced to look for “gray” schemes. In such a situation, there is no active demand for real estate in Laos from foreign investors.

True, with regard to average prices for houses and apartments, Laos appears in an attractive light. A house in Vientiane, for example, can be found for $10,000. However, due to the lack of a normal market, prices can be both low and unpredictably skyrocket.

When planning to visit the reserves of Laos, remember that many of them will only let you in with an official guide. Therefore, take care of the guide in advance, and if you want to save money, we advise you to contact the Department of Tourism, and not the local travel agencies.

Tipping in public restaurants and hotels is usually automatically included in the bill, in private establishments it is left at the discretion of the client (it is recommended to leave 5-10% of the bill).

As for the prohibitions, most of them are typical for Southeast Asia: in Laos you can’t point your feet at other people, also don’t try to step over people or touch their heads. Women should not dress provocatively. The most serious is the ban on drug use. Don't be fooled by their availability, the police keep a close eye on whether tourists use drugs. If a traveler is caught red-handed, at least a large fine awaits him, and in some cases the case may end in prison. By the way, the sexual relations of foreigners with Laotians are officially prohibited if they are not married.

The Lao People's Democratic Republic, or simply Laos, is a country located in Southeast Asia. This state borders on Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Myanmar. Laos covers an area of ​​236,800 km2. In 2005, its population was almost six million people. Not so good among tourists. popular destination but completely in vain. After all, the state has a lot of interesting places to visit. A lot of exciting excursions are waiting for you, unusual entertainment and fantastic nature.

The history of the formation of Laos

Starting from the XIV century, the state of Laos was gradually formed. It has always been inhabited by such migratory tribes as the Lao, Thais, Siam and others, as well as the mountain warlike tribes of Mien and Hmong. In the 14th century, the warlord Fa Ngum formed a single kingdom called Lang Sang Hom Khao. The composition of this monarchy included scattered powers located near Luang Prabang. The new kingdom lasted until the 17th century. Then it fell apart. Already at the end of the next century, most of the state of Laos (general information is presented in our article) fell under the hand of Thai rule.

At the end of the 19th century, Laos became part of French Indochina. And only in the summer of 1949 he managed to get rid of the influence of this empire. But another misfortune came in the form of the United States of America, which began to bombard in 1964. And only ten years later the attacks stopped.

Culture and entertainment in Laos

Laos (capital - the city of Vientiane) is a country with amazing culture. It is represented by folk crafts, sculpture, traditional dances and music, as well as painting. The main ones are the monuments dedicated to the Buddha. Wood, stone and bronze are used for their statues. Also, masters often depict various monsters characteristic of the mythology of India.

The Buddha is often present in paintings as well. In addition, artists have always been engaged in drawing scenes from the Ramayana, an Indian epic. Modern painters and sculptors of Laos, along with classical Buddhist subjects, create works that reflect the beauty of nature and folk life.

If you like outdoor activities, then Laos (the capital is listed above) will provide you with all the opportunities for this. After all, here you can do cycling, trekking and rafting. And in the case when a tourist is a fan of an exotic and non-traditional pastime, then tubing is at his service - rafting on reservoirs on an inflatable chamber, speleology or zip-lining. This is an incredibly amazing activity: in the jungle, in the trees - at a height of 37 meters - 23 platforms are mounted. Strong ropes of steel are stretched between them. Travelers are attached to them using a special device. The length of the rope reaches almost one meter, and the distance between the platforms is 180 meters. So try this walk!

What to see

In addition to entertainment, the country is rich in various architectural masterpieces. So, Laos, whose sights are not world-famous monuments, still deserves to have its long-term cultural sites visited by the guests of the country.

First of all, I would like to note Laos is called the state of millions of these giants. Animals work on a par with people: they help build housing, travel long distances, and much more. In the aforementioned camp, travelers have the opportunity to communicate with these unsurpassed creatures, take a walk through the jungle on elephants and feed their pets. And if you have a chance to visit Laos in February, then you will definitely get to a grand event - the Elephant Festival. Thousands of people gather in Paklai County every year to admire the huge participants. Go to this corner the globe you can do it without any problems today, because a visa to Laos is inexpensive and is paid immediately upon arrival in the country. And if you plan to stay in the state for less than 15 days, then you don’t need it at all.

Monastery of the Kings

Wat Xyeng Thong (“City of Golden Temples”) is the name of the royal monastery, decorated with mosaics and frescoes. It is the largest monastery in the state and is located in Luang Prabang. religious building built in 1560. Since that time, it has remained virtually unchanged. The temple building is representative of the traditional temple culture of Laos. It can be characterized as follows: gradually curving, the slopes of the roofs descend almost to the ground. The rear red wall of Wat Xyeng Thong is adorned with mosaics of various animals and birds. In the temple itself there is a rare statue of the reclining Buddha. Laos (its sights deserve attention!) will always offer its guests to visit interesting places, albeit not as famous as Stonehenge or leaning tower of pisa, but still amazing and unsurpassed in its grandeur and beauty.

blood and moon

A rectangular panel with three horizontal stripes and a circle in the middle - this is the flag of Laos. The top and bottom stripes are painted red, symbolizing the blood of the victims who gave their lives for the independence of the country. The middle, largest, stripe is blue, which has become the embodiment of the resources of Laos. In the center of the blue field is a huge white circle. He became a symbol of the moon that rises above

On December 2, 1975, the flag of Laos received its legal approval. Such a composition of the canvas was proposed in the second half of the 50s of the last century. But the people needed to achieve their independence so that this symbol of the state had the right to exist.

Main city

The capital of Laos is Vientiane, and we have already mentioned this. I would like to talk a little about this wonderful place. Its name translates as "city of sandalwood". Vientiane is considered the main financial center of the entire state. It is inhabited by approximately two hundred thousand people.

The city was founded by King Setthathirath in 1560. During that period locality was also the capital, only not of Laos, but of a power called Lang Sang. This state ceased to exist in 1707. At the same time, Vientiane becomes an independent kingdom. In 1779, the settlement was completely destroyed by the Siamese army. And in 1899 it becomes the capital of Laos.

Vientiane is like Paris

Laos (the capital is listed above) bears little resemblance to France. More precisely, some coincidence can be seen in the main cities of these countries. So, Paris boasts the world-famous Arc de Triomphe, and Vientiane - the Patusai Arc de Triomphe, which is somewhat reminiscent of its French "colleague". The attraction is located on the main street of the Lao capital - Langsang Avenue. The object was built in honor of those inhabitants of the country who died in the war for its independence from France.

Oddly enough, but Patusai was built with the money of the French government. The structure has four entrances and is crowned with small turrets. The arch is decorated with a lotus flower pattern, and its ceiling is painted with blue paint and painted with images of elephants, buddhas and warriors. So observation deck on the top Arc de Triomphe you can see the whole city and its environs. There is a belief that if you buy a cage with a bird in a small shop located nearby and, standing on top of the structure, release the feathered creature into the wild and at the same time make a wish, then it will certainly come true.

Buddha Park

Laos, whose capital is a kind of Buddha temple, invites its guests to visit another attraction located in Vientiane. A park. True, the object was located not specifically in the city itself, but in its environs. The park has a small size: 200x70 meters. You can see all the sculptures located very close one to one in one hour. All sculptures are made of concrete and iron. Their author is a Buddhist artist and monk Bun Liua Surirat. This project was created in 1958.

And now shopping!

So that your family and friends do not doubt that you have visited Laos, bring them souvenirs from this country. Usually tourists carry samples of folk crafts. It can be fabrics, furniture, jewelry. Gifts can be bought in small ethnic shops and in the market. If you make purchases in the capital of the country, then you will have to pay more for them than in provincial towns. But still, despite significant difference in price (almost twice), the cost of souvenirs is not high.