Laos

History

Laos became a French protectorate in 1893 and ruled till 1945 during the Second World War when the Japanese invaded them.  After the second world war, the French went back in 1946 till 1953 when the country gained its independence.

Food/ culture

The culture is mostly influenced by the India, Cambodian and Thailand cultures.

The major crops include rice, soybeans, tobacco, peanuts, cotton, sugarcane, tea and coffee.

The country’s national dish is leap; other dishes are Lao noodle soup, baguettes, minced pork salad and French food.

Wildlife

The wild animals living in Laos include the Asian elephant, pot-bellied pig, tiger, sun bear, leopard cat, rhinoceros, gaur, kouprey, leopard cat and golden cat.

Annual events/ celebrations/ festivals

Pia Mia is Lao New Year festival conducted from 14^th– 16^th April with water fight activities.

Boun Bung Fai festival is conducted to plead the spirits to end the hot season and bring on rains.

Bon Wat Phou festival has activities such as boat racing, cockfighting and dancing.

Things to see

Laos is famous for its famous French colonial architecture and the Buddhist monasteries. The country’s geography is mountainous, forested and has waterfalls like Tad Fane and Dong Hua Sao.

Vientiane landmarks include The Pha That Luang monument which is the country’s national symbol that houses Buddha’s breastbone. It also has Patuxai war memorial and Tala Sao which sells foods and clothing.

The Buddhist temples which have lasted for ages are places to explore in Vientiane city.

Interesting facts

Laos is a landlocked country but it has islands called Si Phan Don on Mekong River.

Laos’s main religion is Theravada Buddhism.

The Laotians are sticky rice consumers worldwide.

Laos is the most bomb attacked country in the whole world. The capital was bombed by the US during the Vietnam War.

Borders

Laos is bordered on the east by Vietnam, on the southeast by Cambodia, on the west and southwest by Thailand and the northwest by China and Myanmar.