Lao People's Democratic Republic
The country of Laos can be traced back to 1353, when it was known as the kingdom of Lan Xang ('Million Elephants'). Since then it has seen invasions by Burma (Myanmar), Siam (now Thailand), Vietnam, and China.
Laos is a landlocked country with Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand to the west, China to the north, Vietnam to the east, and Cambodia to the south.
------------------------------------------------
About Laos
The name 'Laos' is pronounced with a silent 's'. The 's' was added by France in 1893 when they united the country. Before that, it was three smaller kingdoms, known as Luang Phrabang, Vientiane, and Champasak.
There is no official religion in Laos, but the majority of the citizens practice Buddhism. Anywhere from 70 to 95% of Laotians are Buddhist!
Laos is a mostly mountainous country. The tallest mountain is named Phou Bia, and is 9,245 feet tall. Their main river is the Mekong River. It is on the southern border, and runs between Laos and Thailand.
The country has a tropical monsoon climate. March and April are the hot dry months, where temperatures reach 100 °F!
Historically, Laos has been an athletic country that played a type of field hockey with bamboo sticks and balls made of roots, and enjoyed boat races along the Mekong River. Today, they enjoy soccer and Muay Lao, which is much like Muay Thai
There are currently 172 mammal species in Laos, and 33 of these are recorded as endangered species, including the Javan and Sumatran Rhinoceros, as well as the Asiatic Black Bear. .
------------------------------------------------
Laotian Money
Currency: Lao Kip
*$1 US will get you 8,000 Lao Kip!
There are no coins in Lao currency!
Denominations of Lao Kip are: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000
Learn Lao Phrases!
Hello sa-bai-Dee
Thank You Khawp Jai
You're Welcome Baw Pen Nyung
What's Up? Pen Jung Dai?
Goodbye Sôhk Dee Der
Excuse me Khǎw Thôht
Please Kalunaa
Lao Numbers!
one nueng
two song
three saam
four sii
five haa
six hok
seven jet
eight paet
nine kao
ten sip
------------------------------------------------
Animals
Asian Golden Cat: With the ability to to climb trees, they hunt mainly birds, large rodents and reptiles. They prefer to live in rocky, mountainous terrain.
Banded Krait: One of six venomous snakes in Laos, they can grow up to 6 feet in length! They are typically shy, and also nocturnal, so they are very unlikely to be seen when visiting.
Javan Rhinoceros: Other than poachers, an adult has no natural predators. They usually avoid humans, but if they feel threatened they will attack. Currently, there are no Javan Rhinos in captivity.
Malayan Pangolin: Found in tropical regions of Africa and Asia, they are being threatened by illegal wildlife trading. They resemble an anteater with armor-like skin.
------------------------------------------------
Fun Facts
Kahn Souphanousinphone, a character in the TV show King of the Hill, is from Luang Prabang, Laos!
The official motto of Laos is "Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity"
The "Plain of Jars" is a tourist attraction in Laos that is home to lots of huge stone jars. The largest jar weighs over six tons! They are believed to be over 2,000 years old, and their original purpose is still unknown.
The Khone Waterfall sits on the border between Laos and Cambodia. Every second, 410,000 cubic feet of water falls over the 45 foot drop--thats twice as much as Niagara Falls, and the most of any waterfall in the world!!!
The first bridge over the Mekong River between Laos and Thailand was finished in 1994. It was named the Friendship Bridge, and is about 3/4 miles long!
