Introduction to Geography of Laos
Laos is a country in Southeast Asia.Laos, or Lao People's Democratic Republic, a landlocked country of southeast Asia. It lies principally within the Indochinese Peninsula and is bordered by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma.
Forested mountains cover much of Laos, leaving only a few expanses of level or treeless land. The north consists almost entirely of a series of steep ranges extending roughly northeast-southwest. Between them swift-flowing rivers run through narrow gorges. One of the few relatively flat areas in the north is a broad plateau north of Xiang-khoang; it lies about 4,000 feet (1,200 m) above sea level. Just to the south is the country's highest peak, Phou Bia, reaching 9,252 feet (2,820 m).
Marking much of the boundary with Vietnam is the Annam Cordillera, a steep mountain chain stretching out from the northern highlands. With peaks up to nearly 9,000 feet (2,700 m) and only a few passes, the cordillera is an effective natural barrier. West of the chain are the only extensive lowlands in Laos, in the valleys of the Mekong River and its southern tributaries. The Mekong flows the entire length of Laos and receives the discharge of nearly every stream in the country. Along its banks are most of the larger towns and much of the farmland.
Eastern Asia's monsoons strongly influence the climate, which is tropical and has heavy, seasonal rainfall. Some 50 to 90 or more inches (1,270 to 2,290 mm) of rain falls annually, most of it from May to October during the summer monsoon. Temperatures are usually high, averaging from 90° F. (32° C.) in April, the hottest month, to 60° F. (16° C.) in January.
Facts in brief about LaosCapital: Vientiane.Official language: Lao.Area: 91,429 mi2. (236,800 km2). Greatest distances--northwest-southeast, 650 mi. (1,046 km); northeast-southwest, 315 mi. (510 km).Population: Current estimate—6,361,000; density, 70 persons per mi2 (27 per km2); distribution, 79 percent rural, 21 percent urban.Chief products: Benzoin, cardamom, cattle, cinchona, citrus fruits, coffee, corn, cotton, leather goods, opium, pottery, rice, silk, silver work, tea, teak, tin, tobacco.Flag: The flag of Laos, adopted in 1975, has a red horizontal stripe at the top and the bottom, and a blue horizontal stripe in the center. A white circle appears in the center of the flag. The red symbolizes the blood and soul of the Laotian people. The blue stands for prosperity. The white circle represents the promise of a bright future.National anthem: "Pheng Sat" ("National Music").Money: Basic unit—kip.The Economy
In almost every respect Laos is economically one of the least developed nations in southeast Asia. Most of the people are farmers who grow crops for their own needs only. There is little manufacturing, so almost all finished goods and some foods must be imported. The Communist government took over in 1975, and controlled the economy till about the late 20th century, when they relinquished their hold and began to encourage private ownership and foreign investment. Because exports are small in contrast with imports, there exists a serious economic imbalance, which is partly offset by large amounts of foreign aid.
Although farming is the principal livelihood, less than 10 per cent of the land is agricultural. The average family farm is about five acres (2 hectares) in size and produces mainly rice along with a few vegetables, which together make up much of the diet. In the northern highlands, where rice is less easily grown, corn is an important crop. Most farm families keep some livestock, usually water buffalo or cattle, for use mainly as draft animals. Tobacco, sugar, and peanuts are grown as cash crops for local markets. Coffee beans are grown for export. Fish is a dietary staple.
Mineral resources in Laos have not been fully surveyed, but there are large known reserves of iron ore, coal, and potash. Tin, mined near Muang Khammouan, and gypsum, mined near Savannakhét, are the only minerals produced in significant amounts; both are major exports. A few other minerals are produced on a small scale, including salt, limestone, and gold.
The country's forests are being depleted rapidly. Commercial logging was suspended in the early 1990's but much illegal logging takes place. Wood is used for building materials, for fuel, and for the making of tools and farm implements.
Except for a number of sawmills, manufacturing is largely limited to a few small plants that turn out items for local use, such as food, cigarettes, beverages, bricks, and cement. The handicraft industry is widespread and provides household goods and fine gold and silver work.
The Mekong and its tributaries have long been the country's chief transportation routes. Laos produces hydroelectric power, some of which it sells to Thailand. There are no railways and few paved roads. Air transport is fairly well developed, and there are regular flights to the larger towns in the interior as well as international service, chiefly from Vientiane.
The People
About two-thirds of the inhabitants are Lao, a Mongoloid people closely related to the Thai. They live in the lowlands area. Most of the remainder of the people are members of widely scattered hill tribes, and most are ethnically close to the lowland Lao. Major non-Lao groups include the Khmu (related to the Khmers of Cambodia) and the Meo (a Sino-Tibetan people).
The greatest concentrations of people are in the Mekong valley and adjoining lowlands; the most sparsely populated areas are the northern mountains. The largest city is Vientiane, the capital, with 377,409 inhabitants. Other major cities are Savannakhét (96,652), Louangphrabang (68,399), and Pakxé (47,323).
Lao is the official language of Laos. It is a monosyllabic, tonal language belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family and closely resembles Thai. The hill tribes speak various languages. Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion of Laos. It plays an important role in the daily lives of its adherents, which include most lowland Laotians. Many of the lowland Laotians also hold animist beliefs. Members of the upland tribes are almost all animists.
Education begins at age six and is compulsory for eight years. Primary school lasts five years; secondary school, six. Higher education is available at Sisavangvong University in Vientiane. The literacy rate is about 85 per cent.
Government
Under the constitution of 1991, Laos is a republic. The legislature is the National Assembly, whose members are elected for five-year terms. It elects the president (head of state), who serves a five-year term. The president appoints the prime minister (head of government) and the cabinet. Laos is a one-party state.