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General: Laos is a landlocked country surrounded by no fewer than five countries: China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. Its area covers 236,800 km ² and its length reaches 1000 km.
Roads in Laos: Laos has 40,000 km of roads of which only 4000 are surfaced. Road No. 13, the main artery of the country that connects Luang Prabang to Vientiane, Pakse and Champasak is fully surfaced.
Population: Estimated at 6.7 million in July 2008, Laos is the least populated country in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the countries where population density is less important with 26 people per km ². About 80% of the population lives in the northern part of the country.
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Politics: The Democratic Republic of Laos was proclaimed in 1975. Executive power is controlled by a President assisted by a Prime Minister who is in charge of the Council of Ministers. Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly, composed of 115 members popularly elected for a term of 5 years.
Economy: The natural resources of Laos, while unabundant, are underused. Agriculture remains the major source of income for about 80% of the population. The main production is rice which is also the nation staple. Corn, tobacco, cotton and coffee are other major crops of Laos. The breeding for cattle, pigs and water buffalo is growing fast with over one million head of cattle each. The industrial sector is small but is developing, particularly in the textile industry in particular because of low costs of production in Laos.
Language: The official language is Lao, and has its origins in Sanskrit and Pali.
Userful words:
| Hello: Sabaïdee |
Hotel: Hong hem |
| Thanks: Khop chai |
Toilet: Hong nam |
| Please: Kaloona |
Post: Paisanee |
| Goodbye : La Khon |
0 : Soun |
| No problem: Bo pen yang |
1 : Neung |
| Eating: kin Khao |
2 : Song |
| Water: Nam |
3 : Sam |
| Drink: Kin Nam |
4 : See |
| Yes: Doy, Jao |
5 : Ha |
| No: Bo |
6 : Hok |
| Where: Yoo sai ? |
7 : Tiet |
| How: Thao dai ? |
8 : Pet |
| Dear : Pheng |
9 : Kao |
| Bus : Lot Mae |
10 : Sip |
| Medicine: Than mô |
100 : Neung Hoy |
| Hospital: Hong mô |
1000 : Neung Phan |
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Nature: Laos possesses amazing biodiversity and its nature is almost untouched. Wild elephants, tigers, pythons, and black bears inhabit the jungles, while the freshwater dolphins occupy the waters of the river Done Det - 4000 Islands Region. Many species have been discovered until recently as rare striped rabbit of Annam, rare species: the doe Saola and Laotian rock rat, as the largest spiders in the world. Many scientists and biologists are at work in the hope of discovering yet unknown species.
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Ethnic groups :
The Lao Government has officially recognized 49 ethnic minorities. But traditionally, Laos people are divided into three groups according to the altitude at which they live. However, you can find some ethnic groups living together on many levels.
The Lao Loum, or lowland Laos, is located in the plains which are also the most fertile land. They are mainly from Thailand and the Thai Shan of Myanmar. The Lao Loum are approximately 50-60% of the population and are mainly Theravada Buddhist practice and to a lesser extent animism.
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The Theung Laos include many ethnic groups, majorly the Khmu in northern Laos. The Htin,people who also live in the north, are excellent in bamboo weaving, in part because of a cultural prohibition to use the metal.
The Lao Soung, or the mountainous Laos, lives on high altitude. The Hmong are the most represented. Their costumes are among the most colorful of Laos.
Religions and beliefs :
Buddhism: The religion of the majority and almost official of Laos is Theravada Buddhism, also known as "Little Vehicle" or Hinayana, for nearly 67% of the population. This religion emerged in Laos between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries.
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It is based on the four truths taught in India by Siddhartha Gautama in the sixth BC. BC Lao Buddhist believes in reincarnation. The ideal is to directly reach nirvana (or nibbana) without reincarnation. Many Laotians believe that doing good and not evil enough to ensure his salvation. Doing good can acquire the merits or boun. As the word also means "party", some say that a Laotian partying to acquire merit ... Most of the religious life takes place around the monastic life. The monks enjoy great prestige and are highly respected. Buddhism was an integral part of the Lao identity.
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Animism and ancestor worship: The outstanding feature of Laos religion is coexistence of Buddhist with animist practices. All Laotians believe in phis (pronounced "pi"). This word means both "spirit," "soul," "Ghost" and "returning". In principle, it is enough to build a sort of small altar where food is provided for the phis are quiet. That somehow is their "home". Each village, each province and even the country itself, has its guardian spirits, the Lokapala, so deeply rooted that they are even recognized and celebrated by Buddhism. Generally at night, they can take in an animal appearance. All Laotians, even those who have studied in the West believe more or less to phis.