Laos

[lah-ohs, lous, ley-os, la-aws]

noun

1. a country in Southeast Asia: formerly part of French Indochina. 91,500 sq. mi. (236,985 sq. km). Vientiane.

Laos

/ laʊs, laʊz /

noun

1. Official name: People's Democratic Republic of Laos. a republic in SE Asia: first united as the kingdom of Lan Xang ("million elephants") in 1353, after being a province of the Khmer Empire for about four centuries; made part of French Indochina in 1893 and gained independence in 1949; became a republic in 1975. It is generally forested and mountainous, with the Mekong River running almost the whole length of the W border. Official language: Laotian. Religion: Buddhist majority, tribal religions. Currency: kip. Capital: Vientiane. Pop: 6 695 166 (2013 est). Area: 236 800 sq km (91 429 sq miles)

Laos

1. Mountainous, landlocked republic in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma to the northwest, China to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west. Its capital and largest city is Vientiane.

Civil war among communist and noncommunist factions in the 1950s and 1960s attracted extensive covert aid from the Soviet Union, China, and the United States.

During the Vietnam War, Vietnamese communists established the Ho Chi Minh Trail through the remote mountains of Laos to channel troops and supplies from North Vietnam to South Vietnam.

The communist Pathet Lao, with long-standing close ties to the Vietnamese communists, have been in power since 1975.

Part of French Indochina from 1893 to 1949, it was granted full sovereignty in 1954.

Example Sentences

The storm swept through large parts of South East Asia, including Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, killing more than 500 people across the region, according to official figures.

From BBC

He had just stepped off an overnight bus with his friends from the popular tourist destination of Vang Vieng in Laos.

From BBC

Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Kazakhstan will face 25% import duties starting Aug. 1, while goods from Laos and Myanmar will face a 40% tariff.

From Los Angeles Times

Goods from China are set to facing new 30% levies, while exports from some other countries, including Switzerland and Laos face even higher duties.

From BBC

One of the steepest tariff rates - 40% - has been imposed on Laos in south-east Asia.

From BBC