Global - Technology - Review

Laos is a landlocked South East Asian country, sandwiched between Vietnam and Thailand. Years of conflict following independence have left it one of the poorest countries in the region, depending on subsistence agriculture, mainly rice growing. The Mekong River forms part of the border with Thailand, however much of the country is mountainous and forested. The nation’s future prospects will depend on exploiting mineral resources and on tourism. There are many sites revealing historic Lao cultures. One of the most fascinating is the enigmatic Plain of Jars. On the plateau of Xieng Khouang are clusters of ancient carved stone jars, up to three metres tall, but whether they were for water storage or burials is not clear. In the city of Luang Prabang, a World Heritage Site, there is a former Royal Palace, Buddhist monasteries, and ancient carved staues at Pak Ou caves. There are ancient Khmer temples at Wat Phu, while at Si Phan Don on the Mekong are the so-called Four Thousand Islands, a popular backpacking destination. The capital, Vientiane, has the 45 metre golden Buddhist stupa of Pha That Luang, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.