It traces its historic and cultural identity to the kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao (Kingdom of a Million Elephants Under the White Parasol), which existed for four centuries as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Due to Lan Xang's central geographical location in Southeast Asia, the kingdom was able to become a popular hub for overland trade, becoming wealthy economically as well as culturally. After a period of internal conflict, Lan Xang broke off into three separate kingdoms — Luang Phrabang, Vientiane, and Champasak. In 1893, it became a French protectorate, with the three territories uniting to form what is now known as the country of Laos. It briefly gained freedom in 1945 after Japanese occupation, but was recolonised by France until it won autonomy in 1949. Laos became independent in 1953 under King Sisavang Vong.
The capital city is Vientiane. Other large cities include Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Pakse. The official language is Lao. Laos is a multi-ethnic country with the politically and culturally dominant Lao people making up approximately 60 percent of the population, mostly in the lowlands. Mon-Khmer groups, the Hmong, and other indigenous hill tribes, accounting for 40 percent of the population, live in the foothills and mountains.
Patuxai (Lao: ປະຕູໄຊ, pronounced[pā.tùːsáj] ; literallyVictory GateorGate of Triumph, formerly the AnousavaryorAnosavari Monument, known by the French as Monument Aux Morts) is a war monument in Downtown Vientiane, Laos, built between 1957 and 1968. The Patuxai was dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. In romanizing the name from the Laotian language, it is variously transliterated as Patuxai, Patuxay, Patousai and Patusai. It is also called Patuxai Arch or the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane as it resembles the Arc de TriompheinParis. However, it is typically Laotian in design, decorated with mythological creatures such as the kinnari (half-female, half-bird). (Full article...)
Image 9Map showing linguistic family tree overlaid on a geographic distribution map of Tai-Kadai family. This map only shows general pattern of the migration of Tai-speaking tribes, not specific routes, which would have snaked along the rivers and over the lower passes. (from History of Laos)
Image 11Lao monk woodworking temple details (from Culture of Laos)
Image 12Ruins in Vientiane, depicted by Louis Delaporte during the Mekong Expedition led by Francis Garnier (c. 1867) (from History of Laos)
Image 13Lao princess wearing gold embroidery (from Culture of Laos)
Image 14Territories abandoned by Siam in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, depicted as a map of Thailand's territorial losses. The Franco-Siamese crisis resulted in the cession of Laos to France in 1893. (from History of Laos)
Image 18A soldier of the Black Flag Army, 1885 (from History of Laos)
Image 19Monks gathered at evening prayer (from Culture of Laos)
Image 20Market in Luang Prabang, c. 1900 CE
Image 21Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang (from Culture of Laos)
Image 22French warships bombarding the Siamese fort at Paknam (from History of Laos)
Image 23The mainland of Southeast Asia at the end of the 13th century (from History of Laos)
Image 24Southeast Asia in the 18th century showing the kingdoms of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Champasak and the principality of Phuan (Xieng Khuang) (from History of Laos)
Image 25Bronze Buddha sculptures, Wat Mai, Luang Prabang (from Culture of Laos)
Image 26Lao sculpted wood Buddhas posed "calling for rain" (from Culture of Laos)
Image 27Ancient human fossil remains from Tam Pa Ling cave (from History of Laos)
Major General Phoumi Nosavan (Lao: ພູມີ ຫນໍ່ສວັນ; 27 January 1920 – 3 November 1985) was a military strongman who was prominent in the history of the Kingdom of Laos; at times, he dominated its political life to the point of being a virtual dictator. (Full article...)
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