Portal:Laos

Portal:Laos/Intro

Laos (/ˈlɑːoʊs/ ^ⓘ, /ˈlaʊs/, /ˈlɑːɒs/, or /ˈleɪɒs/; Lao: ລາວ, Lao pronunciation: [láːw], Lāo), or commonly referred to its colloquial name of Muang Lao (Lao: ເມືອງລາວ, Muang Lao), is a landlocked country in the heart of the Indochinese peninsula of Mainland Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (Burma) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southwest, and Thailand to the west and southwest.

It traces its historic and cultural identity to the kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao (Kingdom of a Million Elephants Under the White Parasol), which existed for four centuries as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Due to Lan Xang's central geographical location in Southeast Asia, the kingdom was able to become a popular hub for overland trade, becoming wealthy economically as well as culturally. After a period of internal conflict, Lan Xang broke off into three separate kingdoms — Luang Phrabang, Vientiane, and Champasak. In 1893, it became a French protectorate, with the three territories uniting to form what is now known as the country of Laos. It briefly gained freedom in 1945 after Japanese occupation, but was recolonised by France until it won autonomy in 1949. Laos became independent in 1953 under King Sisavang Vong.

The capital city is Vientiane. Other large cities include Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Pakse. The official language is Lao. Laos is a multi-ethnic country with the politically and culturally dominant Lao people making up approximately 60 percent of the population, mostly in the lowlands. Mon-Khmer groups, the Hmong, and other indigenous hill tribes, accounting for 40 percent of the population, live in the foothills and mountains.

Laos' ambitious strategies for development are based on generating electricity from its rivers and selling the power to its neighbors, namely Thailand, China, and Vietnam, as well as its initiative to become a 'land-linked' nation, shown by the planning of four new railways connecting Laos to those same countries. This, along with growth of the mining sector, Laos has been referred to as one of East Asia and Pacific's fastest growing economies by the World Bank, with annual GDP growth averaging 7% for the past decade. It is a member of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), East Asia Summit and La Francophonie. Laos became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2013.

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The Lao people are a Tai ethnic group native to Southeast Asia, primarily inhabiting Laos and northeastern Thailand. They speak the Lao language, part of the Kra–Dai language family, and are the dominant ethnic group in Laos. Significant Lao communities also reside in Thailand’s Isan region, where they form a regional majority, as well as in smaller numbers in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Culturally and linguistically, the Lao share close ties with other Tai peoples, particularly the Thai. The Isan people of Thailand, for instance, are ethnically Lao but nationally Thai. Theravada Buddhism is central to Lao identity, shaping cultural practices and social norms, though animist traditions persist, especially in rural communities. This syncretism reflects a blend of indigenous beliefs and Buddhist influences. (Full article...)

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The following are images from various Laos-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1Monks gathering morning alms (from Culture of Laos)
Image 2The mainland of Southeast Asia at the end of the 13th century (from History of Laos)
Image 3Ornate lintel Wat Phu, Champasak (from Culture of Laos)
Image 4Lower terrace of the Wat Phu mountain complex, Champasak
Image 5Women in traditional Luang Prabang sinh (from Culture of Laos)
Image 6Market in Luang Prabang, c. 1900 CE
Image 7Historic Indosphere cultural influence zone of Greater India for transmission of elements of Indian elements such as the honorific titles, naming of people, naming of places, mottos of organisations and educational institutes and adoption of Hinduism, Buddhism, Indian architecture, martial arts, Indian music and dance, traditional Indian clothing, and Indian cuisine, a process which has been aided by the historic expansion of Indian diaspora. (from History of Laos)
Image 8Bronze Buddha sculptures, Wat Mai, Luang Prabang (from Culture of Laos)
Image 9Southeast Asia in the 18th century showing the kingdoms of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Champasak and the principality of Phuan (Xieng Khuang) (from History of Laos)
Image 10Traditional mor lam (from Culture of Laos)
Image 11Mor lam performance-the men are playing the khene and wearing pha sarong (from Culture of Laos)
Image 12Traditional spirit house (from Culture of Laos)
Image 13Akha girl in traditional dress (from Culture of Laos)
Image 14Lao Loum girls dancing in traditional sinh (from Culture of Laos)
Image 15Ruins in Vientiane, depicted by Louis Delaporte during the Mekong Expedition led by Francis Garnier (c. 1867) (from History of Laos)
Image 16Lan Xang's zone of influence and neighbours, c. 1540 (from History of Laos)
Image 17Plain of Jars, Xiangkhouang (from History of Laos)
Image 18Monks gathered at evening prayer (from Culture of Laos)
Image 19Map showing linguistic family tree overlaid on a geographic distribution map of Tai-Kadai family. This map only shows general pattern of the migration of Tai-speaking tribes, not specific routes, which would have snaked along the rivers and over the lower passes. (from History of Laos)
Image 20Emerald Buddha (from History of Laos)
Image 21Sticky rice and papaya salad (from Culture of Laos)
Image 22Kra-Dai (Tai-Kadai) migration route according to James R. Chamberlain (2016). (from History of Laos)
Image 23Actors wearing Khon Masks (from Culture of Laos)
Image 24A soldier of the Black Flag Army, 1885 (from History of Laos)
Image 25Auguste Pavie, First Governor-General of the French Protectorate of Laos
Image 26Sculpted wood Buddhas posed "calling for rain" (from Culture of Laos)
Image 27Lao princess wearing gold embroidery (from Culture of Laos)
Image 28Monk woodworking temple details (from Culture of Laos)
Image 29Ancient human fossil remains from Tam Pa Ling cave (from History of Laos)
Image 30Luang Prabang, Wat Mai, gilded wood bas relief scenes from the Prince Vessantara Jataka. (from Culture of Laos)

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Souligna Vongsa (ສຸຣິຍະ ວົງສາ ທັມິກຣາຊ [sū.lī(ʔ).ɲā wóŋ.sǎː tʰám.mīk.râːt]) was the king of Lan Xang whose reign is considered the golden age of Laos. He ascended to the throne in 1637. (Full article...)