LAOS

Lao People’s are Democratic Republic. 138th place on the Human Development Index

(HDI) 25th place on the hunger situations in the

world Poor human rights From the Kingdom of Lan Xang

Luang Phrabang Vientiane

Champarak

Flag of Laos

Became independent in 1953 With a constitutional monarchy under

Sisavang Vong A single party socialist republic which is

Marxism Governed by military generals Its capital is Vientiane Official Language is Lao 60% percent of its population are living in the

lowland 40% are living in the foothills and mountains

Capital of Laos is Vientiane

Patuxai Gate in Thannon Lanxing area of Vientiane

Buddha sculptures at

Pha That Luang

Haw Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Pha That Luang

Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) in Vientiane

Lao’s strategy for development is based on generating electricity from its river and selling the power to its neighbors, namely Thailand, China and Vietnam.

Lao script is called abugida script. Lao money is called kip. Chief of State: President Lt. Gen.

Choumnaly Sayasone Head of Government: Prime Minister

Thongsing Thammarong There are 11 members of Politburo and

50 member of Central Committee. Important government decisions are

vetted by the Politburo.

Laos Alphabet

Laos Money

Principal Government Officials in Laos

President Lt. Gen. Choummaly Sayasone

Prime Minister Thongsing

Thammavong

The religion of Laos is Theravada Buddhism (40 – 50%)

Satsana Phi (almost 30 % of the ethnic groups)

Catholics and Protestants (2%)

Lao music is called Lam

Lao musical instrument is called kheme – a bamboo mouth organ.

Loa MusicLAM

Laos musicians during a Baci celebration in 1973.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Laos

10. Vieng Xai

9. Pak Ou Caves

8. Wat Phu

7. Pha That Luang

6. Wat Xieng Thong

5. Plain of Jars

4. Si Phan Don

3. Vang Vieng

2. Mekong River

1. Luang Prabang

• An important festival in Laos is Boun Pha Vet celebrated once a year. This is a two day Buddhist festival that involves the entire community. Traditionally the Boun Pha Vet is held in January or February depending on the moon cycle. During the ceremony the monks give a sermon of all chapters of the Maha Wetsandon Chadok, otherwise called the Great Birth Sermon

Traditional Clothing

Lao’s FoodThe staple food of the Lao is

steamed sticky rice, which is eaten by hand. In fact, the Lao eat more sticky rice than any other people in the world. Sticky rice is considered the essence of what it means to be Lao. Often the Lao will refer to themselves as "Luk Khao Niaow", which can be translated as "children or descendants of sticky rice". Galangal, lemongrass and padaek (Lao fish sauce) are important ingredients.

Lao’s National Flower

“Yellow Dok Champa”

Lao’s National Animal

“Indian Elephant”