General situation of Laos

Country name: Lao People's Democratic Republic

(Lao People's Democratic Republic)

Independence Day: 65438+ 10/2 (1945)

National Day: 65438+February 2nd (1975)

National flag: the parallel rectangle in the middle of the flag surface is blue, accounting for half of the flag surface area, and the upper and lower rectangles are red, each accounting for a quarter of the flag surface area. There is a white round wheel in the middle of the blue part, and the diameter of the wheel is four-fifths of the width of the blue part. Blue symbolizes wealth, red symbolizes revolution, and white wheels represent the full moon. This flag was originally the flag of Lao Patriotic Front.

National emblem: round, with symbolic patterns on the surface, decorated by two strings of rice ears: the Great Buddha Pagoda is a famous monument and a symbol of Laos; Gear, barrage, forest and field symbolize industry, water power and forestry respectively; The ear of rice symbolizes agriculture. The ribbons on both sides read "Peace, independence, democracy, unity and prosperity", and the ribbon at the bottom reads "Lao People's Democratic Republic".

Physical geography: 236,800 square kilometers. Located in the northern part of Indochina Peninsula, it is a landlocked country, bordering on Viet Nam in the east, Cambodia in the south, Thailand in the west, Myanmar in the northwest and China in the north. 80% of the territory is mountainous and plateau, mostly covered by forests, so it is called "the roof of zhina". The terrain is high in the north and low in the south, which is connected with the western Yunnan Plateau in China and Yunnan in the north. In the east, the border between Laos and Vietnam is a plateau composed of Changshan mountains. In the west, there are basins and small plains along the Mekong River basin and its tributaries. From north to south, the whole country is divided into upper Liao, middle Liao and lower Liao. Shangliao has the highest terrain, and the elevation of Chuanqi Plateau is 2000-2800 meters. The highest peak, Biya Peak, is 2820 meters above sea level. Mekong River is the largest river, flowing westward through 1900 km. It belongs to tropical and subtropical seasons.

Population: over 5 million (1999). There are more than 60 ethnic groups, which are divided into Lao Long (mainly Lao and Tai, accounting for more than 60% of the national population), Lao Ting (mainly Ka and Pu Dong) and Lao Song (mainly Miao and Yao). Lao is widely used, and most residents believe in Buddhism.

Capital: Vientiane.

Brief history: Lancang Kingdom was founded in the 8th century, and14th century was once one of the most prosperous countries in Southeast Asia. From 1707 to 17 13, Luang Prabang dynasty, Vientiane dynasty and Zhanbei dynasty were gradually formed. From 1779 to 19, it was gradually conquered by Siam. 1893 became a protectorate of France. 1940 was occupied by Japan. 1In August 1945, the Lao people held an armed uprising and established the Isara Front. On June 65438+1October 12 of the same year, Laos declared its independence and established the government of Izarra. From 65438 to 0946, the French made a comeback and the Izarra government disintegrated. 1950, patriotic forces rebuilt the Isala Front and established the Lao anti-Japanese government with Prince Sufanufon as prime minister. 1In July, 954, France was forced to sign the Geneva Agreement and withdraw its troops from Laos. Then the United States invaded, 1962, and the United States was forced to sign the Geneva Agreement on Laos. A coalition government with Prince Fuma as Prime Minister and Prince Sufanufon as Deputy Prime Minister was established. From 65438 to 0964, the United States supported pro-American forces to undermine the Coalition government and attack the liberated areas. Lao soldiers and civilians, under the leadership of the Patriotic Front, waged a heroic war to resist the United States and save the nation. 1973 In February, all parties in Laos signed the Agreement on Restoring Peace and Realizing National Harmony in Laos. 1974 In April, a coalition government with Fuma as prime minister and a political joint committee with Suhanoufeng as chairman were established. 1975 12 the first national people's congress was held in Vientiane, announcing the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the Lao people's democratic Republic, with the Lao people's revolutionary party in power. 199 14 On August 14, the Supreme People's Assembly of Laos adopted the Constitution of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. According to the Constitution, the Lao Council of Ministers was renamed the Government, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers was renamed the Prime Minister, and the Supreme People's Assembly was renamed the National Assembly. The original red star, axe and sickle on the national emblem of Laos have been replaced by the design of the famous ancient tower.

Politics: Congress is the highest legislative organ of the country, and the government is the executive organ of the highest organ of state power and the highest administrative organ of the country.

Diplomacy: Pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and advocate developing friendly and cooperative relations with all countries in the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Relations with China:1961On April 25th, Laos established diplomatic relations with China.

Eating habits in Laos:

Laos usually have a simple diet, usually glutinous rice and fresh fish, and only on holidays will they kill pigs and sheep. Wa people like to eat palm Baba as their staple food (this is a cake made of palm powder and baked on a hot stone). Many people regard it as a precious food. They are addicted to chewing betel nuts and smoking. Even women are no exception. They are very happy to taste China cuisine. They usually don't use knives, forks and chopsticks when eating, but they are used to grabbing food with their hands.

Lao people's eating habits have the following characteristics:

① Pay attention to dining, material benefits and color of dishes.

The taste is average, but I don't like it too salty, too sweet, too sour and slightly spicy.

The staple food is rice (glutinous rice), and I also like to eat red bean paste buns.

Fish, shrimp, chicken, duck, mutton, pork, beef and other non-staple foods. I also like tomatoes, tofu, mushrooms and fresh vegetables. Seasoning commonly used onions, garlic, peppers, coriander, oil, sauce, salt and so on.

⑤ Cooking methods prefer dishes made by frying, roasting, skewering and other cooking methods.

Chinese food loves China's Beijing cuisine and Cantonese cuisine.

⑦ Enjoy the flavor dishes such as white sugar mixed with lotus root slices, Beijing roast duck, roast suckling pig, roast chicken breast, winter melon cup, instant-boiled mutton, roast winter bamboo shoots, dried mandarin fish, shredded beef and shredded chicken with green peppers.

Shuijiu likes to drink milk, soda, coffee, juice and wine.

Pet-name ruby fruits such as bananas, pineapples, peaches, watermelons, oranges, oranges, apples, etc. Dried fruits such as walnuts and almonds.

Lao Customs:

Laos is a multi-ethnic country, and Lao Long accounts for 70% of the national population. The customs and habits of Lao Long largely represent the customs and habits of Laos.

In rural areas and remote mountainous areas, all ethnic groups in Laos wear their own sewing clothes, and clothes in cities and economically developed areas have become more commercialized and international. Laolong's national costume is similar to that of Dai people in Xishuangbanna, China. Men wear collarless double-breasted shirts, sand cage pants or long-sleeved wide-leg pants, and women wear collarless oblique-breasted shirts and skirts. Whenever there is a Chinese New Year holiday or a major event, women should wear national costumes and put a bun on the plate, while men should wear more suits and less national costumes.

Lao people like to eat glutinous rice. The old cuisine is sour, spicy and raw. The dishes with ethnic characteristics are: fish sauce, grilled fish, roast chicken, coriander fried minced meat, shredded papaya, hot and sour soup and so on. Most vegetables are eaten raw.

The Lao people are very gentle, kind and polite. When people you know meet and say goodbye, you should say hello, put your hands on your chest and hold hands. Men generally do not take the initiative to shake hands with women. In order to show intimacy, people who are familiar or unfamiliar can call their elders uncles and aunts, those who are older than themselves are called big brothers and sisters, and those who are younger than themselves are called brothers and sisters. They are generally called comrades in state organs or the army.

When traveling to Laos, you should prepare gifts and wrap them beautifully. Commonly used gifts include flower baskets, handicrafts, tobacco and alcohol. It is customary to send cash to wedding banquets or festive days. Guests should take the front door when entering the house, take off their shoes when entering the house, and generally sit on the floor. Be careful not to point to people or things with your feet instead of your fingers. Men cross their legs, and women put their feet aside with their knees. When someone is talking to each other, don't cross between two people. If there is no place to go around, you need to go through the middle and bow your head and say sorry. Don't touch others' heads (including children). Guests are forbidden to visit the host's inner room.

Traveling to Laos, drinking unity wine is more popular. The host brought a bottle of wine and a wine glass. The host drank it first, and then invited the guests to drink it in turn. Exploring wine is also a traditional etiquette for Laos to entertain guests. Many bamboo tubes were inserted in the altar, and the host and guest sat around the altar, laughing and drinking.

Matchmaking ceremony is a ritual custom of the old dragon people, and it is also a blessing ceremony, which is often held on holidays, welcome guests and weddings. At the ceremony, the host and guest sat on the floor, with a silver tray full of flowers in the middle, and bundles of white cotton thread hung on the flowers. At the beginning of the ceremony, venerable elders or monks will say greetings. After reading it, they took off the cotton thread on the flower, tied it on the wrist of the guests and friends, and said a blessing while tying the thread. Guests can also take the initiative to tie the thread to the host or others to pray. The thread tied to the hand is usually worn for 3 days to 1 week.