|
|
The Jewel of The
Mekong
The Geography
The Lao P.D.R. is located
in the heart of the Indochina peninsular, in Southeast
Asia. It lies between latitudes 14-23 degrees North
and longitude 100-108 degrees East.
It
is the only Southeast Asian country without direct
access to the sea, and shares a 505 kilometers border
with China to the North, 435 kilometers border with
Cambodia to the South, 2,069 kilometers border with
Vietnam to the East, 1,835 Kilometers border with
Thailand to the West, and 236 kilometers border with
Myanmar to the Northwest. The country stretches from
north to south 1,700 kilometers. At its widest point
the country stretches from East to West over 500 kilometers,
whilst at its narrowest it is 140 kilometers. wide.
Laos total land size 236,800
square kilometers. The terrains are characterized
by mountains, and plains. The mountains and plateaus
make up three-quarters of the total area. This area
is divided into three distinct regions.
The northern region is dominated by high mountains
rising to an average height of 1,500 meters. The highest
mountain is Phou Bia at 2,820 meters in Xiengkhouang
province. The Phou Luang (Annamite range) stretches
from southeast on the Phouane Plateau down to the
Cambodian border. The Phouane Plateau in Xiengkhouang
province is one of three plateaus in the range, the
others are the Nakai Plateau in Khammouane province,
and the Boloven Plateau in Southern Laos, 1000 meters
above sea level.
The plain region consists
of large and small plain areas distributed along the
Mekong River. The main one is the Vientiane Plain,
this is the largest plain, situated on the lower reaches
of Nam Ngum River. The Savannakhet plain on the lower
reaches of the Se Bang Fai and Se Bang Hieng rivers,
and the Champasak plain on the Mekong River, stretching
out to the Thai and Cambodian borders. Blessed with
rich and fertile soil, these plains represent one
quarter of the total area known as the "granaries"
of the country.
The Lao PDR is crises-crossed
with a myriad of rivers and streams. The largest the
Mekong River flows for 1,865 kilometers from the North
to the South. Rivers and streams provide great potential
for hydropower development and 51% of the power potential
in the lower Mekong basin is contained within Laos.
The Mekong flows through
1,865 kilometers of Lao territory and 1,500 kilometers
of the river forms the major portion of the border
with Thailand. 60% of all the water entering the Mekong
river system originates in Laos.
The three highest mountains
in the country are all located in Xieng khuang province
they are Phou Bia at 2,820 meters, Phou Xao at 2,690
meters, and Phou XamXum at 2,620 meters. The Lao word
for mountain is Phou.
Visas
Visa can obtained from Lao
Embassies and Consulates abroad. In addition, visa
can also be obtained on-arrival at the international
checkpoints. The fee is 30 US$ with a validity of
15 days.
Tourist visas are valid
30 days. For those who wish to extend their stay,
it is possible to extend visa at the Immigration Office
in Vientiane, but through travel Agencies.
International Airports
- Wattay International
Airport in Vientiane
- Luang Prabang
International Airport in Luang Prabang.
- Pakse International
Airport in Champasack.
A departure tax of 10 US$ is levied
for international flights while 5,000 Kips is levied
for domestic flights.
Border Checkpoints
- Chine - Laos
- Mohan
- Botene, Younan to Luang Namtha Province.
- Xiangkok
Boadlanding on Mekong River in Laungnamtha Province.
(no visa on arrival)
- Thailand - Laos
- -
Nongkhai - Friendship Bridge in Vientiane. Open
daily from 06:00 am - 10:00 pm.
- - Chiangkhong
- Houixay, Chiang Rai to Bokeo Province
- - Nakorn
Phnom - Thakhek in Khammouane Province
- - Mukdahan
- Savannakhet in Savannakhet Province.
- - Chongmek
- vangtao, Ubol Ratchathani to Champasack Province.
- Vietnam - Laos
- Taichang
- Sobhun Laichau to Phongsaly Province. (no
visa on arrival)
- Nameo
- Banleui in Huaphanh Province. (no visa on
arrival)
- Nameo
- NamKan,Nge An to Xiengkhoang Province
- Napao
- Chalo, Quangbinh to Khammouane Province
- Keoneua
- Nampao (Lak Sao)Hatinh to Borikhamxai Province
- Laobao - Dansavanh, Quang
Tri to Savannakhet Province.
Transportation and Communication Services
Laos is a convenient hub for travel
in the Indochina region, Lao Airlines, Thai Airways
International, Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines,
China Yunnan Airlines. These airlines offer a range
of scheduled flights to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Siem
Reap, Hochiminh City, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Kunming and
Jinghong. Lao Airlines flight offers regular services
to all provincial capitals.
Sealed all-weather
roads link most provinces, although travel by boat
along Laos' extensive river network is necessary for
some areas and is a scenic option for the more adventurous
traveler. For short trips, tuk-tuks and jumbos are
a convenient and inexpensive mode of transportation.
Taxis can be booked or found at the Morning Market.
Fares for public transport should be negotiated before
journeys commence. Hire of cars, motorcycles and bikes
can be arranged through rental companies and at some
hotels.
|
|
|