Laos ((i/ˈlaʊs/, /ˈlɑː.ɒs/, /ˈlɑː.oʊs/, or /ˈleɪ.ɒs/)Lao:ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ, pronounced[sǎːtʰáːlanalat pásáːtʰipátàj pásáːsón láːw]Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) (French:République démocratique populaire lao), is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (Burma) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west. Since 1975, it has been ruled by a Marxist and communist government. Its population was estimated to be around 6.8million in July 2014.
Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang, which existed from the 14th to the 18th century when it split into three kingdoms. In 1893, it became a French protectorate, with the three kingdoms—Luang Phrabang, Vientiane and Champasak — uniting to form what is now known as Laos. It briefly gained independence in 1945 after Japanese occupation, but returned to French rule until it was granted autonomy in 1949. Laos became independent in 1953, with a constitutional monarchy under Sisavang Vong. Shortly after independence, a long civil war ended the monarchy, when the CommunistPathet Lao movement came to power in 1975.
VIENTIANE, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Many parts of Laos are covered in a thick haze with PM 2.5 levels greatly exceeding safe levels, adversely affecting people's health and reducing visibility in some places ... The current high level of PM 2.5 over Laos is caused by burning scrubland ...
When it comes to countries in Asia building socialism, places like China and Vietnam may come to mind for many people, but not too many think of Laos... The grassroots resistance forces of the Pathet Lao—the Lao People’s Liberation Army—entered Vientiane, peacefully, but armed ... The HugeBuddha of Hai Hin Mixayaram in Phonsavan, Lao PDR.