Laos
Laos is a small Southeast Asian country bordered by Vietnam to the west, Thailand to the east and Cambodia to the northeast. Home to rivers, jungles and mountains, Laos is often referred to as the most beautiful country in Southeast Asia. Known for its natural beauty and beaches along the Mekong, this country has something historic (but a little cloudy): Laos was part of French Indochina from 1893 to 1939.
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It has a large ethnic group in the north of the country and ethnic Chinese minorities are also spread across the country. The capital of Laos is Vientiane, known for its beautiful architecture and UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Plain of Jars.
History
The region now known as Laos went through border changes from European empires and various kingdoms like Hmong, Lao Song, and Khmer Kambuksha over time. Laos gained its independence after the 1945 Thai military coup that ousted many elites from power. Laos was a monarchy with a constitutional monarchy until it became a socialist state in 1975. Even though the country is communist, there is still private ownership of land, houses and another real estate that attracts people to the country in search of new opportunities.
Old History
The world knows that Laos is a country with many cultures and different ethnic groups. In ancient times it was the seat of a great kingdom called Luang Phawang that lasted for centuries. Today, Laos has become a major tourist destination for many tourists who come here to see its historical sites and culture. . Laos is known for its beautiful temples and monasteries, its unique stone architecture and the traditional Lao costumes worn by the people. Laos is also famous for its numerous rice terraces. The country has over 39,000 paddy fields scattered across its land, accounting for a significant portion of the total national income. The vast majority of these are in the north of the country. This vast area consists of two distinct zones, namely the Northern and Southern Regions. The northern region includes Hmong Mien areas located in three provinces namely: Xainza (Xaeng Saa), Luang Prabang (Lao Nam), and Vientiane (Vientiane). The southern of these regions is the Hmong Mien area.
Modern History
The history of Laos before and during the Franco-Siamese presence was linked to both Indian and Chinese civilizations for centuries. The concept of this country as a central geographic crossroads attracted exploitative traders from around the world. and the Thai and Laotian kingdoms were no exception. In the late 1830s, King Mongkut of Siam invaded Laos and drove French traders from their settlements. In 1862 a treaty was signed between Siam, France and Great Britain, which placed Laos under Siamese control for 60 years. After this agreement, a new Laotian kingdom emerged with Chao Anouvong, the son of a Laotian king who was deposed by Siamese troops in 1826, as ruler. The French and British colonized Laos under their control in the second half of the 19th century. In 1893, France annexed it to French Indochina as part of its protectorate in that region. The expansion of French colonialism is over
Geography
Laos is home to 478,685 people in an area of 590 square kilometers, which offers residents a diverse range of natural resources. The northeastern part is mountainous and has some large tropical and subtropical green areas. . In the Southwest there are three major river systems that form a primary drainage and agricultural area. The Mekong is called “Stung Chah” in Laos. This name comes from one of the Khmer kingdoms that ruled the area before it was conquered by the Kingdom of Laos in 1592. It is a transboundary river that flows through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Area
Laos has beautiful scenery made possible by the geographic advantage of being surrounded by water sources, particularly its three major rivers – the Mekong to the north; Si Phan Don in central Laos; and Ream in the south (Vietnam). Laos also offers a rich cultural heritage as well as an abundance of untapped mineral and forest resources. With a total area of 236,800 square kilometers, the country is slightly larger than England. It has been estimated that half the population lives in subsistence agriculture, while 40% continue to be involved in traditional subsistence lifestyles. The government has attempted to create a “Lao National Strategic Plan” that would integrate all ministries and agencies, from health to education, into a comprehensive plan for the country.
Politics
In Laos, it has been alleged that the leadership of the Vietnamese Communist Party supported the struggle for Laos independence and encouraged it to uphold its democratic traditions in a new form with fixed institutions of government. The decolonization process officially culminated on September 2, 1975 when, following decolonization efforts led by Pathet Lao between 1954 and 1975, they were granted internal autonomy as an autonomous zone right within North Vietnam’s North Central Zone.
Revolutions
The political situation in Laos is constantly changing. The country has seen a series of coups and counter-coups over the past hundred years. There have been many revolutions, coups and civil wars that have led to political instability. There has been a good degree of stability over the past decade, but the Lao people still face many challenges as they live in a landlocked country. The politics of Laos is constantly changing due to many factors including immigration/population changes, infrastructure trends, post-colonialism and the use of natural resources. Since Laos gained independence from France in 1953, Laos has experienced a number of changes in its political environment. In 1959, the War of Independence ended with the victory of the Pathet Lao communists, who took control of Vientiane with the help of military aid from North Vietnam. The Pathet Lao was brought to power after a coup led by General Khouma Ouane.
Culture
A small but rich country in Southeast Asia, Laos is an ethnic minority with a rich culture. As Buddhists, the people of Laos have suffered setbacks in recent years due to the economy.
An example of the remarkable culture of Laos is that everyone would love to be a monk in their lifetime, but there are strict immigration laws – making it impossible for them to export people for religious purposes if they are only interested in immigration. . The culture in Laos is heavily influenced by Buddhism and the vast majority of people go to the temples every morning to pray.