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Laos is landlocked and lies between Thailand, Myanmar, China, Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong River forms the country's western border and the Annamite mountains form its eastern border with Vietnam. The total land area is approximately 237,000 sq km - an area similar to that of the United Kingdom. The main features of the country are its mountains and the Mekong River valley.

The Mekong River and its 15 tributaries make up a total of 2,400 km of waterways, but only about one third of these are navigable. 70% of the country is mountainous. In the south, the Annamite mountains reach 2,600m in height. The Khammouanne plateau in the centre of the range is mass of limestone karst. At the south of the range is the Bolaven Plateau. The north of Laos is made of steep sloped mountain ranges with the highest mountain in the country at 2820m in Xiang Khouang province. Over half of Laos is forest.

Laos has a monsoon climate of a dry and a wet season. The dry season lasts from November to May with the cooler period in December and January. At its coldest, the temperatures can fall to as low as 15 deg C. The cold periods tend to be at night and early morning with colder temperatures at higher altitudes. During the hot period of the dry season, between March and May, temperatures can reach the high 30s. The rainy season is a lot cooler, and rainfall varies according to altitude. Generally speaking, the monsoon season produces severe rain that lasts for short periods of time. The wet months vary according to location, in Vientiane, they are from May to September, in Luang Prabang, August is far wetter than any other month.

Laos has rich vegetation, mainly monsoon forest. Monsoon forest consists of a top canopy of hardwood trees like dipterocarps that can reach 30m high. The middle canopy consists of smaller trees such as teak and Asian rosewood. The undergrowth is bamboo, smaller trees, shrubs and grasses. Tropical palms and orchids are common, as are a variety of tropical fruit trees.

Parts of the Annamite chain are covered with tropical evergreen forest, where rainfall is highest and in the south, tropical pine forests can be found.

Laos has a large number of animal species, including as many as 500 different birds. Reptiles include many snakes, including king cobras. There are a large number of lizards, from the small ghekos to 2m long monitor lizards. Mammals include wild cats, bears, leopards and tigers. There are up to 500 wild elephants in Laos, although more than twice that number are in captivity. There are a number of rare species in Laos which which include rhinos and wild cattle.

There are 68 official ethnic groups in Laos, belonging to three main groups.

Lao Loum - Lao, or Lao Loum consists of about half of the poulation. The Lao Loum or lowland lao people live in the Mekong river valley and its tributaries. The Lao Loum cultivate and eat wet, or sticky rice, and generally practice Theravada Buddhism. Lao Loum are a subgroup of the Austro-Thai people and speak the Lao language. The Lao Loum women wear the traditional sinh - the wraparound sarong. Lao Tai are closely related to the Lao Loum and are officially classified in that group. The Lao Tai are more tribal than the Lao Loum and cultivate both wet rice and dry mountain rice. Lao Tai traditionally practice slash and burn agricultural methods. The Lao Tai on the whole have not converted to either Christianity or Buddhism and retain their animist beliefs. Lao Tai are further subdivided into sub groups by the colour of their traditional clothing, ie Black, White, Red Tai.

Lao Theung are the largest hilltribe group, with 45 subgroups. The Lao Theeung are semi nomadic and of Mon-Khmer origin. They live on mountain slopes, between 300 and 900m altitude and practice slash and burn agriculture. The Khamu subgroup is found in the north and grow mountain rice, cotton, coffee and tobacco. The Tin subgroup is found in Sayabouli province - they are hunters and do not use metal tools, using only wood and bamboo. The Akha and Alak subgroups live in the south in the Boloven plateau.

Lao Sung or High Lao live in the high mountains of the north. Main groups are the Hmong and the Mien. Hmong are divided into Black, Red, White and Striped, according to their clothing. The Hmong raise cattle, pigs and chickens and generally survive on a barter economy. The Mien have a similar language to the Hmong and are known for their silver craftsmanship. Smaller hilltribe groups include the Lisu, Lahu and Lolo.

As well as the four main groups, Laos also has a number of Chinese, mainly living in the cities as well as ethnic Vietnamese, Cambodians, Burmese and Thai, In Vientiane there are also a small number of southern Asians.

Places to go:

Vientiane
Southeast Asia's smallest capital has only about 450,000 inhabitants resulting in something unusual for an Asia city, the possibility of some peace and quiet. Countless temples and pagodas with important Thai and Khmer shrines and relics mirror the country's chequered past. Vientiane is also a place for passionate pedestrians - there is probably no other city in this region that can so easily and pleasantly explored on foot.

Vientiane is a city full of surprises. Here you can find fields of rice and vegetables, agriculture hidden behind tree lined avenues. French Colonial architecture sits next to gilded temples. Freshly baked French bread is served next to shops selling noodle soup.

Vang Vieng
This small idyllic town en route from Vientiane to Luang Prabang is popular with backpackers for an activity called tubing. They sit themselves down in giant rubber tyres and float down the Nam Song river, making stops along the way at little riverside makeshift bars for some cheap Beerlao, making visits to caves where there are, and jumping off swings and cliffs. Near several large complexes of caves you can explore.

Savannakhet
Savannakhet is located in the south of the country. Actually Southern Laos is the most "Laotic" region of the country. The province of Savannakhet has approx. 700.000 habitants. About 150.000 are living in the capital of the province. The city is actually located opposite of the small Thai town of Mukdahan. What can you see there. There are a number of buildings in the central business district that remind the visitor of Laos old French colonial heritage. Besides that you can witness some Chinese influence. Furthermore the knowledgeable spectator might notice the Vietnamese influence. A Mahayana Buddhist temple is the most obvious proof for that. If you want to enter Thailand you have to cross the river between 8:30 am and 5 pm. A ferry brings you to the Thai side. No special permission is necessary.

Phonesavanh
One of the last mysteries of Asia, the Plain of Jars, lies near to Phonesavanh. Despite many theories and speculation by archaeologists, there is no accepted explanation for the countless 8 feet high earthernware jars lying scattered over the plateau. Some of the jars were destroyed by the secret American bombing of Laos. A visit to area is enhanced by visits to the local ethnic minority villages of the Hmong.

Luang prabang
Luang Prabang is the old capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom. According to the Luang Prabang legend, the first name of Luang Parabang was Muang Swa, named after King Khun Xua around the eighth century, later known as Xieng Dong and Xieng Thong. During the reign of King Fa Ngum between 1354 and 1372 A.D., Xieng Dong, and Xieng Thong cities were renamed Luang Prabang in the name of the gold image of Buddha, the Phrabang.

Luang Prabang was the capital of the Lane xang kingdom from 1354 A.D. The capital was then transfered to Vientiane city in 1560 A.D. Luang Prabang is rich in cultural heritage, known as the seat of Lao culture, with monasteries, monuments traditional costumes and surrounded by many types of nature's beauty. Luang Prabang province has a total population of 365000. The city itself is a rather sleepy town of 16,000 habitants with a handful of interesting temples and old French houses. Luang Prabang is now listed as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO.

Houeixay
Houeixay is in the north-west corner of Laos on the border with Thailand and only kilometres from Myanmar. The Thai/Chinese influence is evident in the local architecture and culture. This area of Laos is not widely travelled by tourists because of the connection with the Golden Triangle. Those who venture to the area will be impressed with the natural beauty and the friendliness of the locals.

Culture
Traditional culture in Laos has been heavily influenced by various strains of Khmer, Vietnamese and Thai cultures. The lowland Lao share the same ancestry as many Thai tribes, so the similarities between Lao and Thai culture are especially strong. This can be seen in Lao sculpture, classical music, dance-dramas and cuisine. Lao folk music is more indigenous, based around the khaen (a double row of bamboo reeds fitted into a hardwood sound box). Folk music is often accompanied by dancing or bawdy theatre. The focus of most traditional art has been primarily religious and includes wats (temples), stupas and several distinctively Lao representations of Buddha. The Lao remain skilful carvers and weavers, but traditional silversmithing and goldsmithing are declining arts.