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LAOS
The Lao People's Democratic Republic is a
landlocked country in southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (commonly known in
the west as Burma) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia
to the south, and Thailand to the west. The term Lao is most frequently used
to refer to the dominant language and people of Laos. It is also a romanised
form of the word Laos in the Lao language. It is sometimes used in English
to refer to the country as well, but romanisation standards hold that "Laos"
is the preferred spelling.
History
Laos' early history was dominated by the wider Nanzhao kingdom, which was
succeded in the 14th century by the local kingdom of Lan Xang that lasted
until its decline in the 18th century, after which Thailand assumed control
of the separate principalities that remained. These then came under French
influence during the 19th century and were incorporated into French
Indochina in 1893. Following a Japanese occupation during World War II, the
country became independent in 1949 as the Kingdom of Laos.
Political unrest in neighbouring Vietnam dragged Laos into the greater
Second Indochina War (see also Secret War) which was a destabilising factor
that contributed to civil war and several coups d'état. In 1975 the
communist Pathet Lao movement overthrew the royal government and took
control of the country, which they promptly renamed the Lao People's
Democratic Republic. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialisation were
replaced by a relaxation of economic restrictions in the late 1980s and the
admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Politics
The only legal political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP).
The head of state is a president elected by parliament for a five-year term.
The head of government is a prime minister appointed by the president, with
parliamentary approval. Government policies are determined by the party
through the all-powerful nine-member Politburo and the 49-member Central
Committee. Important government decisions are vetted by the Council of
Ministers.
Laos adopted a new constitution in 1991. The following year, elections were
held for a new 85-seat National Assembly with members elected by secret
ballot to 5-year terms. This unicameral parliament, expanded in 1997
elections to 99 members, approves all new laws, although the executive
branch retains authority to issue binding decrees. The most recent elections
took place in February 2002 when the assembly was expanded to 109 members.
Provinces
Laos is divided into 16 provinces (khoueng), 1 municipality* (kampheng
nakhon), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset):
Attapeu Bokeo
Borikhamxay
Champassack
Houaphan
Khammouane
Louang Namtha
Louangphabang
Oudomxay
Phongsaly
Saravane
Savannakhet
Vientiane *
Vientiane province
Sayaboury
Saysomboun **
Xekong
Xieng Khouang
Geography
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia and the thickly forested
landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is Phou
Bia at 2,817 m, with some plains and plateaus. The Mekong river forms a
large part of the western boundary with Thailand, whereas the mountains of
the Annamite Chain form most of the eastern border with Vietnam.
The local climate is tropical and characterised by monsoons; there is a
distinct rainy season from May to November, followed by a dry season from
December to April. The capital and largest city of Laos is Vientiane, other
major cities include Luang Phrabang, Savannakhet and Pakse.
Economy
The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official communist states
- began decentralising control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986.
The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth
averaged 7% in 1988-2001 except during the short-lived drop caused by the
Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997.
Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive
infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary though improving road
system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is
available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for
half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue
to benefit from aid from the IMF and other international sources and from
new foreign investment in food-processing and mining.
Demographics
About half the country's people are ethnic Lao, the principal lowland
inhabitants and the politically and culturally dominant group. The Lao are
descended from the Tai people who began migrating southward from China in
the first millennium AD. Hill people such as the Hmong (Meo), Yao (Mien),
Black Thai, Dao, Shan, and several Tibeto-Burman speaking peoples, have
lived in isolated regions of Laos for many years. Mountain tribes of mixed
ethnolinguistic heritage are found in northern Laos. Collectively, they are
known as Lao Sung or highland Lao. In the central and southern mountains,
Mon-Khmer tribes, known as Lao Theung or midslope Lao, predominate. Some
Vietnamese and Chinese minorities remain, particularly in the towns, but
many left in two waves; after independence in the late 1940s and again after
1975.
The term Laotian does not necessarily refer to the ethnic Lao language,
ethnic Lao people, language or customs, but is more a political term that
also includes the non-ethnic Lao groups within Laos and identifies them as
"Laotian" because of their political citizenship. In a similar vein the word
"Lao" can also describe the people, cuisine, language and culture of the
people of Northeast Thailand (Isan) who are ethnic Lao.
The predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism which, along with the common
Animism practiced among the mountain tribes, coexists peacefully with spirit
worship. There also is a small number of Christians and Muslims. The
official and dominant language is Lao, a tonal language of the Tai
linguistic group. Midslope and highland Lao speak an assortment of tribal
languages.
Culture
Laotian music is dominated by its national instrument, the khaen (a type of
bamboo pipe). Bands typically include a singer/rapper (mor lam) and a khaen
player (mor khaen) alongside fiddlers and other musicians. Lam saravane is
the most popular genre of Laotian music, but ethnic Lao in Thailand have
developed an internationally-best selling form called mor lam sing.
One significant archive of ancient Laotian culture is the Plain of Jars.
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