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'{{Short description|Geographical features of Laos}} {{coord|18|00|N|105|00|E|display=title}} [[Image:La-map.png|right|thumb]] [[Image:Laos 2003 CIA map.jpg|thumb|right|Detailed map of Laos]] '''Laos''' is an independent republic, and the only landlocked nation in [[Southeast Asia]], northeast of [[Thailand]], west of [[Vietnam]]. It covers 236,800 square kilometers in the center of the Southeast Asian peninsula and it is surrounded by [[Myanmar]] (Burma), [[Cambodia]], the [[People's Republic of China]], [[Thailand]], and [[Vietnam]]. About seventy percent of its geographic area is made up of mountain ranges, highlands, plateaux, and rivers cut through. Its location has often made it a [[buffer state]] between more powerful neighboring states, as well as a crossroads for trade and communication.<ref name=":0">{{Harvnb|Savada|1995|p=81}}.</ref> ==Topography== {{See also|List of mountains in Laos}} Most of the western border of [[Laos]] is demarcated by the [[Mekong]] river, which is an important artery for transportation.<ref name=":0" /> The Dong Falls at the southern end of the country prevent access to the sea, but cargo boats travel along the entire length of the Mekong in Laos during most of the year.<ref name=":0" /> Smaller power boats and [[pirogue]]s provide an important means of transportation on many of the tributaries of the Mekong.<ref name=":0" /> The Mekong has thus not been an obstacle but a facilitator for communication, and the similarities between Laos and northeast Thai society—same people, almost same language—reflect the close contact that has existed across the river for centuries.<ref name=":0" /> Also, many Laotians living in the Mekong Valley have relatives and friends in Thailand.<ref name=":0" /> Prior to the twentieth century, Laotian kingdoms and principalities encompassed areas on both sides of the Mekong, and Thai control in the late nineteenth century extended to the left bank.<ref name=":0" /> Although the Mekong was established as a border by French colonial forces, travel from one side to the other has been significantly limited only since the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR, or Laos) in 1975.<ref name=":0" /> The eastern border with Vietnam extends for 2,130 kilometres, mostly along the crest of the Annamite Chain, and serves as a physical barrier between the Chinese-influenced culture of Vietnam and the Indianized states of Laos and Thailand.<ref name=":0" /> These mountains are sparsely populated by tribal minorities who traditionally have not acknowledged the border with Vietnam any more than lowland Lao have been constrained by the 1,754-kilometre Mekong River border with Thailand.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, ethnic minority populations are found on both the Laotian and Vietnamese sides of the frontier.<ref name=":0" /> Because of their relative isolation, contact between these groups and lowland Lao has been mostly confined to trading.<ref name=":0" /> Laos shares its short—only 541 kilometres—southern border with Cambodia, and ancient Khmer ruins at Wat Pho and other southern locations attest to the long history of contact between the Lao and the Khmer.<ref name=":0" /> In the north, the country is bounded by a mountainous 423-kilometre border with China and shares the 235-kilometre-long Mekong River border with [[Myanmar]].<ref name=":0" /> The topography of Laos is largely mountainous, with the [[Annamite Range]] in the northeast and east and the [[Luang Prabang Range]] in the northwest, among other ranges typically characterized by steep terrain.<ref name=":1">{{Harvnb|Savada|1995|p=82}}.</ref> Elevations are typically above 500 metres with narrow river valleys and low agricultural potential.<ref name=":1" /> This mountainous landscape extends across most of the north of the country, except for the plain of Vientiane and the [[Plain of Jars]] in the [[Xiangkhoang Plateau]].<ref name=":1" /> The southern "panhandle" of the country contains large level areas in Savannakhét and Champasak provinces that are well suited for extensive paddy rice cultivation and livestock raising.<ref name=":1" /> Much of Khammouan Province and the eastern part of all the southern provinces are mountainous.<ref name=":1" /> Together, the alluvial plains and terraces of the Mekong and its tributaries cover only about 20% of the land area.<ref name=":1" /> Only about 4% of the total land area is classified as arable.<ref name=":1" /> The forested land area has declined significantly since the 1970s as a result of commercial logging and expanded [[swidden]], or slash-and-burn, farming.<ref name=":1" /> ==Climate== [[File:Koppen-Geiger Map LAO present.svg|thumb|Laos map of Köppen climate classification.]] [[Image:Climate Vientiane.svg|thumb|Climate data for [[Vientiane]].]] Laos has a tropical climate, with a pronounced rainy season from May through October, a cool dry season from November through February, and a hot dry season in March and April.<ref name=":1" /> Generally, monsoons occur at the same time across the country, although that time may vary significantly from one year to the next.<ref name=":1" /> Rainfall varies regionally, with the highest amounts—{{convert|3,700|mm|in|abbr=off|sp=us}} annually—recorded on the Bolovens Plateau in Champasak Province.<ref>{{Harvnb|Savada|1995|p=83}}.</ref> City rainfall stations have recorded that Savannakhét averages {{convert|1,440|mm|in|abbr=off|sp=us}} of rain annually; Vientiane receives about {{convert|1,700|mm|in|abbr=off|sp=us}}, and Louangphrabang ([[Luang Prabang]]) receives about {{convert|1,360|mm|in|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref name=":1" /> Rainfall is not always adequate for rice cultivation and the relatively high average precipitation conceals years where rainfall may be only half or less of the norm, causing significant declines in rice yields.<ref name=":1" /> Such droughts often are regional, leaving production in other parts of the country unaffected.<ref name=":1" /> The average temperatures in January, coolest month, are, Luang Prabang 20.5&nbsp;°C (minimum 0.8&nbsp;°C), Vientiane 20.3&nbsp;°C (minimum 3.9&nbsp;°C), and Pakse 23.9&nbsp;°C (minimum 8.2&nbsp;°C); the average temperatures for April, usually the hottest month, are, Luang Prabang 28.1&nbsp;°C (maximum 44.8&nbsp;°C), Vientiane 39.4&nbsp;°C). Temperature does vary according to the altitude, there is an average drop of 1.7&nbsp;°C for every 1000 feet (or 300 meters). Temperatures in the upland plateux and in the mountains are considered lower than on the plains around Vientiane.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laos climate: average weather, temperature, precipitation, when to go |url=https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/laos |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=www.climatestotravel.com}}</ref> Laos is highly vulnerable to the effects of global climate change; nearly all provinces in Laos are at high risks from climate change.<ref>Overland, Indra et al. (2017) ''[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320622312 Impact of Climate Change on ASEAN International Affairs: Risk and Opportunity Multiplier]'', Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Myanmar Institute of International and Strategic Studies (MISIS).</ref> {{Weather box |width = auto |location = Vientiane (1981–2010, extremes 1907–1990) |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |collapsed = Yes |Jan record high C = 35.6 |Feb record high C = 37.8 |Mar record high C = 40.0 |Apr record high C = 41.1 |May record high C = 38.9 |Jun record high C = 37.8 |Jul record high C = 36.1 |Aug record high C = 37.2 |Sep record high C = 38.9 |Oct record high C = 38.9 |Nov record high C = 34.4 |Dec record high C = 33.4 |year record high C = 41.1 |Jan high C = 28.7 |Feb high C = 30.8 |Mar high C = 33.1 |Apr high C = 34.6 |May high C = 33.1 |Jun high C = 32.2 |Jul high C = 31.6 |Aug high C = 31.2 |Sep high C = 31.3 |Oct high C = 31.2 |Nov high C = 30.1 |Dec high C = 28.3 |year high C = 31.1 |Jan mean C = 22.4 |Feb mean C = 24.7 |Mar mean C = 27.1 |Apr mean C = 29.0 |May mean C = 28.4 |Jun mean C = 28.1 |Jul mean C = 27.7 |Aug mean C = 27.5 |Sep mean C = 27.3 |Oct mean C = 26.8 |Nov mean C = 24.8 |Dec mean C = 22.2 |year mean C = 26.3 |Jan low C = 17.4 |Feb low C = 19.6 |Mar low C = 22.1 |Apr low C = 24.5 |May low C = 24.9 |Jun low C = 25.2 |Jul low C = 25.0 |Aug low C = 24.8 |Sep low C = 24.3 |Oct low C = 23.4 |Nov low C = 20.5 |Dec low C = 17.3 |year low C = 22.4 |Jan record low C = 0.0 |Feb record low C = 7.6 |Mar record low C = 12.1 |Apr record low C = 17.1 |May record low C = 20.0 |Jun record low C = 21.1 |Jul record low C = 21.2 |Aug record low C = 21.1 |Sep record low C = 21.2 |Oct record low C = 12.9 |Nov record low C = 8.9 |Dec record low C = 5.0 |year record low C = 0.0 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 7.8 |Feb rain mm = 15.3 |Mar rain mm = 39.2 |Apr rain mm = 92.8 |May rain mm = 233.5 |Jun rain mm = 264.6 |Jul rain mm = 307.2 |Aug rain mm = 332.9 |Sep rain mm = 270.2 |Oct rain mm = 96.6 |Nov rain mm = 13.5 |Dec rain mm = 3.7 |year rain mm = 1677.2 |unit rain days = 1.0 mm |Jan rain days = 1 |Feb rain days = 2 |Mar rain days = 5 |Apr rain days = 8 |May rain days = 16 |Jun rain days = 19 |Jul rain days = 20 |Aug rain days = 22 |Sep rain days = 17 |Oct rain days = 9 |Nov rain days = 2 |Dec rain days = 1 |year rain days = 122 |Jan humidity = 70 |Feb humidity = 68 |Mar humidity = 66 |Apr humidity = 69 |May humidity = 78 |Jun humidity = 82 |Jul humidity = 82 |Aug humidity = 84 |Sep humidity = 83 |Oct humidity = 78 |Nov humidity = 72 |Dec humidity = 70 |year humidity = 75 |Jan sun = 239.8 |Feb sun = 216.9 |Mar sun = 218.5 |Apr sun = 227.6 |May sun = 195.3 |Jun sun = 140.8 |Jul sun = 129.9 |Aug sun = 133.0 |Sep sun = 165.9 |Oct sun = 210.5 |Nov sun = 228.5 |Dec sun = 246.6 |year sun = 2353.5 |source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]],<ref name=WMOCLINOVientiane>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210716235244/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Lao_PDR/Vientiane%20Capital.xls | archive-date = 16 July 2021 | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Lao_PDR/Vientiane%20Capital.xls | title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981–2010 | publisher = World Meteorological Organization | access-date = 16 July 2021}}</ref> [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes 1907–1990)<ref name = VientianeDWD> {{cite web | url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_489400_kt.pdf | title = Klimatafel von Vientiane (Viangchan) / Laos | work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world | publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst | language = de | access-date = 23 January 2016}}</ref> |source 2 = [[NOAA]] (humidity 1961–1990)<ref name="Vientinae NOAA">{{cite web | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/LA/48940.TXT | title = Vientiane Climate Normals 1961–1990 | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = 29 November 2013}}</ref> |date=August 2010 }} {{Weather box |width = auto |location = Pakse (1981–2010) |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |collapsed = Yes |Jan record high C = 36.7 |Feb record high C = 37.8 |Mar record high C = 37.8 |Apr record high C = 39.4 |May record high C = 38.3 |Jun record high C = 35.0 |Jul record high C = 33.9 |Aug record high C = 34.4 |Sep record high C = 34.4 |Oct record high C = 35.0 |Nov record high C = 34.4 |Dec record high C = 35.0 |year record high C = 39.4 |Jan high C = 32.0 |Feb high C = 33.5 |Mar high C = 35.1 |Apr high C = 35.5 |May high C = 33.5 |Jun high C = 31.6 |Jul high C = 31.0 |Aug high C = 30.5 |Sep high C = 31.0 |Oct high C = 31.3 |Nov high C = 31.2 |Dec high C = 30.8 |year high C = 32.3 |Jan mean C = 25.6 |Feb mean C = 27.7 |Mar mean C = 29.6 |Apr mean C = 30.4 |May mean C = 29.1 |Jun mean C = 28.1 |Jul mean C = 27.6 |Aug mean C = 27.2 |Sep mean C = 27.3 |Oct mean C = 27.1 |Nov mean C = 26.2 |Dec mean C = 24.9 |year mean C = 27.6 |Jan low C = 18.7 |Feb low C = 21.4 |Mar low C = 24.1 |Apr low C = 25.8 |May low C = 25.3 |Jun low C = 24.9 |Jul low C = 24.5 |Aug low C = 24.3 |Sep low C = 24.1 |Oct low C = 23.1 |Nov low C = 21.1 |Dec low C = 18.9 |year low C = 23.0 |Jan record low C = 8.3 |Feb record low C = 13.3 |Mar record low C = 12.8 |Apr record low C = 20.0 |May record low C = 21.7 |Jun record low C = 21.7 |Jul record low C = 21.7 |Aug record low C = 21.7 |Sep record low C = 20.0 |Oct record low C = 16.7 |Nov record low C = 13.9 |Dec record low C = 8.9 |year record low C = 8.3 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 1.5 |Feb rain mm = 10.4 |Mar rain mm = 26.5 |Apr rain mm = 67.3 |May rain mm = 229.6 |Jun rain mm = 351.3 |Jul rain mm = 414.6 |Aug rain mm = 504.6 |Sep rain mm = 308.2 |Oct rain mm = 128.9 |Nov rain mm = 25.3 |Dec rain mm = 2.2 |year rain mm = 2070.6 |unit rain days = 1.0 mm |Jan rain days = 0 |Feb rain days = 1 |Mar rain days = 3 |Apr rain days = 8 |May rain days = 17 |Jun rain days = 21 |Jul rain days = 24 |Aug rain days = 25 |Sep rain days = 20 |Oct rain days = 12 |Nov rain days = 5 |Dec rain days = 1 |year rain days = 138 |Jan humidity = 62 |Feb humidity = 60 |Mar humidity = 59 |Apr humidity = 65 |May humidity = 75 |Jun humidity = 82 |Jul humidity = 83 |Aug humidity = 85 |Sep humidity = 84 |Oct humidity = 79 |Nov humidity = 72 |Dec humidity = 67 |year humidity = 72.8 |Jan sun = 274.5 |Feb sun = 243.9 |Mar sun = 244.5 |Apr sun = 227.1 |May sun = 202.0 |Jun sun = 145.0 |Jul sun = 142.2 |Aug sun = 126.6 |Sep sun = 141.2 |Oct sun = 188.3 |Nov sun = 225.7 |Dec sun = 249.3 |year sun = 2410.4 |source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name=PakxeWMOCLINO>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717012832/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Lao_PDR/Pakse.xls | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Lao_PDR/Pakse.xls | title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981–2010 | publisher = World Meteorological Organization | access-date = 16 July 2021}}</ref> |source 2 = [[NOAA]] (humidity 1961–1990),<ref name= NOAAPakse>{{cite web | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/LA/48955.TXT | title = Pakse Climate Normals 1961-1990 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | access-date = January 11, 2013}}</ref> [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes)<ref name = PakxeDWD> {{cite web | url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_489550_kt.pdf | title = Klimatafel von Pakse (Pakxé) / Laos | work = Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world | publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst | language = de | access-date = January 23, 2016}}</ref> |date=December 2014}} == Agriculture == [[Agriculture in Laos]] is the most important sector of the economy.<ref>{{Harvnb|Savada|1995|p=162}}.</ref> Five million out of 23,680,000 hectares of Laos's total land area is suitable for cultivation, and seventeen percent of the land area, between 850,000 and 900,000 hectares, was cultivated as of the early 1990s.<ref>{{Harvnb|Savada|1995|p=153}}.</ref> Rice is the main crop grown during the rainy season.<ref>{{Harvnb|Savada|1995|p=156}}.</ref> Agricultural cultivation is possible during with varying weather on a small portion of land area apart from the Vientiane plain and the lowlands along the Mekong Valley. These cultivated areas are situated in the valley cuts by the rivers or the plateau regions of Xieng Khouang in the North and in the Bolovens in the south. Typically there are only two ways to cultivate: either the wet-field paddy system practiced among the Lao Loum or lowland in Lao, or the swidden cultivation system practiced in the hills.{{Fact|date=October 2021}} == Human geography == {{see also|Laos#Demographics}} The overall population density was only eighteen persons per square kilometer, and in many districts the density was fewer than ten persons per square kilometer.<ref name=":2">{{Harvnb|Savada|1995|p=86-87}}.</ref> Population density per cultivated hectare was considerably high ranging from 3.3 to 7.8 persons per hectare.<ref name=":2" /> ==Natural resources and environmental issues== {{Seealso|Wildlife of Laos|Environmental issues in Laos}} [[File:Fires in Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.jpg|thumb|Hundreds of active fires burning across the hills and valleys of [[Myanmar]] [[Thailand]], Laos, and [[Vietnam]] (labelled with red dots).]] The natural resources of Laos include timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, and gemstones.<ref name=":3">{{Citation|title=Laos|date=October 19, 2021|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/laos/|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=2021-10-26}}. {{PD-notice}}</ref> Laos is increasingly suffering from environmental problems, with [[Deforestation in Laos|deforestation]] a particularly significant issue,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-7823.html|title=Laos Environmental problems & Policy |publisher=United Nations Encyclopedia of the Nations|access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref> as expanding commercial exploitation of the forests, plans for additional hydroelectric facilities, foreign demand for wild animals and nonwood forest products for food and traditional medicines, and a growing population all create increasing pressure.<ref>{{Harvnb|Savada|1995|p=163}}.</ref> The [[United Nations Development Programme]] warns: "Protecting the environment and sustainable use of natural resources in Lao PDR is vital for poverty reduction and economic growth."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undplao.org/whatwedo/energy_env.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311201841/http://www.undplao.org/whatwedo/energy_env.php|archive-date=11 March 2008|title=Energy & Environment for Sustainable Development |publisher=United Nations Development Programme|access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref> ==Area and boundaries== [[Image:Luang Prabang Phou Si 2.jpg|thumb|The Mekong river at [[Luang Prabang]], Laos]] * '''Area''':<ref name=":3" /> ** '''Total''': {{Convert|236800|km2|abbr=in}} ** '''Land''': {{Convert|230,800|km2|abbr=in}} ** '''Water''': {{Convert|6,000|km2|abbr=in}} * '''Area comparison''': ** Slightly larger than [[Guyana]] ** Slightly smaller than the [[United Kingdom]] * '''Land boundaries''':<ref name=":3" /> ** '''Total''': {{Convert|5,274|km|abbr=in}} ** '''Border countries''': *** [[Cambodia]]: {{Convert|555|km|abbr=in}} *** [[China]]: {{Convert|475|km|abbr=in}} *** [[Myanmar]]: {{Convert|238|km|abbr=in}} *** Thailand: {{Convert|1845|km|abbr=in}} *** Vietnam: {{Convert|2161|km|abbr=in}} * '''Elevation extremes''':<ref name=":3" /> ** '''Lowest point''': [[Mekong|Mekong River]] {{Convert|70|m|abbr=in}} ** '''Highest point''': [[Phou Bia]] {{Convert|2,817|m}} ==See also== *[[National Biodiversity Conservation Areas]] *[[Zomia]] *[[Transport in Laos]] ==References== {{Reflist}} == Works cited == * {{cite encyclopedia|year=|title=Laos: a country study|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/95017235/|date=1995|others=|editor-last=Savada|editor-first=Andrea Matles|edition=3rd|pages=|isbn=0-8444-0832-8|oclc=32394600|postscript=. {{PD-notice}}}} {{Laos topics}} {{Geography of Asia}} {{Asia topic|Climate of}} [[Category:Geography of Laos| ]] [[bn:লাওস#ভূগোল]]'