Home Search Hotels Hotels Countries Hotel Specials Support
book-online-hotel Menu
To Hotelsearch
To hotel countries

book-online-hotel Menu
 Medhotels.com
 Accorhotels
 Scandic Hotels

book-online-hotel Menu
book online hotel Laos Information
Hotels in Laos
Laos Information
book online hotel Cities in Laos
Vientiane
Luang Prabang
Laos
Official language
Lao
Capital
Vientiane
President
Khamtai Siphandon
Prime minister
Boungnang Vorachith
Area  - Total  - % water
Ranked 80th 236,800 km˛ 2%
Population  - Total (2005)  - Density
Ranked 101st 6,217,141 24/km˛
HDI (2003)
0.545 (133rd) – medium
Independence  - Date
From France July 19, 1949
Currency
Kip
Time zone
UTC +7
National anthem
Pheng Xat Lao
Internet TLD
.la
Calling Code
856
Hotels in Laos





Laos Information
History


Main article: History of Laos

Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang, founded in the 14th century, which lasted until the 18th century, when Siam assumed control of the separate principalities that remained. These were incorporated into French Indochina in 1893. Following a brief Japanese occupation during World War II, the country declared its independence in 1945, but the French re-asserted their control and official independence as the Kingdom of Laos was not achieved until 1949: in fact the French remained in de facto control until 1954.
Political unrest in neighbouring Vietnam dragged Laos into the Vietnam and socialisation were replaced by a relaxation of economic restrictions in the late 1980s and admission into ASEAN in 1997.

Provinces


Main article: Provinces of Laos

Provinces of Laos
Provinces of Laos
Laos is divided into 16 provinces (khoueng), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset):

Attapu
Bokeo
Borikhamxay
Champassack
Houaphan
Khammouane
Louang Namtha
Louangphabang
Oudomxay
Phongsaly
Saravane
Savannakhet
Vientiane *
Vientiane Province
Sayaboury
Saysomboun **
Xekong
Xieng Khouang

Economy


Main article: Economy of Laos

The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official Luang Prabang and Savannakhet in particular have experienced significant booms in recent years. Pakxe has also experienced growth.
Much of the country, however, lacks adequate Thailand over the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The major roads connecting the major urban centers, mainly forming Route 13, have been significantly upgraded in recent years, but villages that are far from major roads are accessible only through unpaved roads that may not be accessible year-round. There is limited external and internal telecommunication, particularly of the wireline sort, but cell phone usage has become widespread in urban centers. In many rural areas electricity is either not available or only during scheduled periods. Subsistence agriculture still accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy receives aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food-processing and mining, most notably of copper and gold. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the country. However, economic development in general is hampered by a serious case of brain drain. A 2005 World Bank study reported that 37% of educated Laotians lived abroad, putting the country in 5th place for worst brain drain.
In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on their exports; this may help spur growth.

Tourism in Laos

Culture


Main article: Culture of Laos

Theravadan Buddhism is a dominant influence in Lao culture. It is reflected throughout the country from language to the temple and in art, literature, performing arts, etc. Many elements of Lao culture predate Buddhism, however. For example, Laotian music is dominated by its national instrument, the khaen, a type of bamboo pipe that has prehistoric origins. The khaen traditionally accompanied the singer in lam, the dominant style of folk music; there are several different styles of lam, some, such as lam saravane, being more popular than others.
The country has two Luang Prabang and Wat Phou — while the government is seeking the same status for the Plain of Jars.

See also:

Art of Laos
Cuisine of Laos
Dance and theater of Laos
Festivals of Laos
Music of Laos

Miscellaneous topics


Communications in Laos
Foreign relations of Laos
List of Laos-related topics
List of Laotian companies
Military of Laos
Scouting in Laos
Transportation in Laos





Sedo - Buy and Sell Domain Names and Websites project info: book-online-hotel.com Statistics for project book-online-hotel.com etracker® web controlling instead of log file analysis