Rabu, Februari 23, 2011

10 Pulau Paling Menakjubkan di Dunia

Pulau Azores mungkin adalah pulau paling menakjubkan di dunia. Di sini anda dapat menyaksikan empat musim dalam sehari. Aneh, kan?! Lebih unik lagi, kalau ingin masak, anda tak perlu repot repot mencari kompor. Cukup gali tanah, taruh panci di sana, maka matanglah masakan anda! Keunikan itu ada di Pulau Azores. Bukan hanya itu, di Azores, anda bisa mengalami empat musim hanya dalam satu hari, aneh kan?

Yang juga unik adalah pulau terisolir Tristan da Cunha, tidak menerima pendatang menetap. Kawin-mawin di antara saudara dekat. Kini penduduknya 271 orang. Juga tak kalah unik adalah pulau hantu di tengah laut, Gunkanjima! Tapi dari daftar 10 pulau menakjubkan ini, ternyata Indonesia menempatkan dua pulaunya, Jawa dan Samosir, masuk dalam daftar pulau terunik. Apa keunikannya??



1.Tristan da Cunha: Pulau Paling Terisolir di Dunia

Pulau yang berada di selatan Samudra Atlantik, 2.816 km dari Afrika Selatan dan 3.360 km dari Amerika Selatan. ini amat sangat terisolir dari dunia luar. Dikelilingi oleh pegunungan dan laut membuat akses ke pulau ini sangat sulit. Belum lagi karakter alam yang sulit, seperti angin yang keras. Pulau yang berada dalam kedaulatan Saint Helena, Inggris , hanya memiliki penduduk 270 orang.


Tristan da Cunha: Pulau Paling Terisolir di Dunia
Tristan da Cunha: Pulau Paling Terisolir di Dunia


Kehidupan masyarakatnya adalah bertani. Uniknya, semua tanah milik bersama namun pegawasan sangat ketat untuk mencegah saling klaim hasil kerja. Peraturan di sana pun ketat, orang luar dilarang membeli tanah di sini juga dilarang tinggal menetap.Karenanya boleh dibilang semua penduduk di sana adalah asli berasal dari sana, bukan pendatang. Selain bertani, penghasilan penduduk juga didapat dari hasil laut.



Pulau ini ditemukan oleh pelaut Portugis Ilha de Tristão da Cunha tahun 1506, karenanya diberi nama sesuai dengan nama pelaut itu. Begitu terisolasinya pulau ini, sampai sampai satu satunya alat transportasi untuk mencapai pulau ini adalah perahu karena tidak ada landasan pesawat di sana. Yang juga menjadi masalah adalah adanya penyakit genetic yang diduga terjadi karena perkawinan antar-saudara. Hal ini karena dilarangnya pendatang tinggal di sini.



2.Gunkanjima: Kota Hantu di Tengah Laut

Pada awal 1900-an, Gunkanjima merupakan pulau yang makmur karena kekayaan batu baranya. Mitsubishi Corporation yang mengelola penambangan batu bara di sini, benar-benar membuat Gunkanjima menjadi kota yang kaya dan padat penduduk, padahal luas pulau ini kurang dari 1 km2.

Untuk mengakomodasi para penambang, sepuluh kompleks apartemen dibangun di atas batu kecil – sebuah labirin tinggi dihubungkan dengan halaman-halaman, koridor, dan tangga. Ada sekolah, restoran, dan game rumah, semua dikelilingi oleh tembok pelindung. Pulau ini dikenal sebagai “Nashi Midori Shima” atau pulau tanpa warna hijau. Tahun 50-an jumlah penduduk mencapai 6000 orang, ini merupakan pulau terpadat penduduknya di dunia pada masa itu.


Gunkanjima Pulau Hantu di Tengah Laut
Gunkanjima Pulau Hantu di Tengah Laut



Tapi tambang batu bara yang terus dikeruk hingga ke dasar laut, lama kelamaan habis dan pulau pun ditutup. Pulau yang tak memiliki tumbuhan ini pun lama kelamaan mati. Lima puluh tahun kemudian, pulau ini mirip pulau hantu, apartemen2 mulai runtuh. Tahun 1974-2009, pulau ini dinyatakan tertutup dari pengunjung. Namun baru-baru ini muncul ketentuan baru, pulau unik ini dibuka untuk wisatawan. Pulau ini pun didaftarkan sebagai Situs Warisan Dunia Unesco.

3.Dubai’s Large-Scale Sand Art: Pulau Buatan Berbentuk Palem Raksasa

Emirat Dubai yang super kaya membangun sejumlah proyek spektakuler yakni pulau-pulau buatan di lepas pantai. Pekerjaan luar biasa yang mengagumkan dunia, menata pulau-pulau buatan itu seperti pohon palem raksasa.

Kepulauan ini menjadi proyek reklamasi tanah terbesar di dunia, juga kepulauan buatan terbesar di dunia. Pulau-pulau itu adalah Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali dan Palm Deira.



Penciptanya adalah Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pariwisata di Dubai. Setiap pulau berbentuk pohon palem, diatapi sebuah sabit, dan akan dilengkapi dengan berbagai fasilitas yang membuat nyaman penduduknya. Palm Islands terletak di lepas pantai Uni Emirat Arab di Teluk Persia dan akan menambah 250 km pantai kota Dubai.



Dua pulau pertama akan dibangun dengan sekitar 100 juta meter kubik batu dan pasir. Palm Deira sekitar 1 milyar meter kubik batu dan pasir. Semua bahan berasal dari UEA. Di ketiga pulau tersebut akan dibangun lebih dari 100 hotel mewah, villa dan apartemen eksklusif tepi pantai, marina, taman hiburan air, restoran, pusat perbelanjaan, fasilitas olah raga dan spa kesehatan.




Pembangunan Palm Jumeirah dimulai sejak Juni 2001. Kemudian, Palm Jebel Ali diumumkan dan reklamasi dimulai. Palm Deira, yang direncanakan seluas 46.35 meter persegi dan perusahaan pembangun, Nakheel, mengklaim luasnya melebihi Paris, konstruksi dimulai tahun 2003. Pembangunan akan selesai untuk 10-15 tahun berikutnya.

4.Samosir: Pulau di Dalam Pulau

Pulau Samosir terletak di tengah danau Toba, danau terbesar di pulau Sumatra Utara, Indonesia. Pulau Samosir sangat luas, bisa jadi inilah pulau di dalam pulau terbesar di dunia. Luasnya 630 km2 hanya sedikit lebih kecil dari Luas DKI Jakarta (650 km2) atau luas Singapura 714 km2.

Pulau Samosir

Julukan lain untuk Samosir adalah pulau danau di atas danau. Ini karena di dalam puau Samosir sendiri ada dua danau indah yakni Danau Sidihoni dan Danau Aek Natonang , keduanya menjadi tujuan wisata.

Cerita terciptanya Pulau Samosir sendiri merupakan suatu yang luar biasa. Menurut catatan wikipedia.org, danau Toba terjadi karena letusan gunung api dahsyat sekitar 73-75.000 tahun lalu. Diperkirakan, bahan-bahan vulkanik yang dimuntahkan gunung itu sebanyak 2.800 km³, dengan 800 km³ batuan ignimbrit dan 2.000 km³ abu vulkanik yang diperkirakan tertiup angin ke barat selama 2 minggu.



Debu vulkanik yang ditiup angin telah menyebar ke separuh bumi, dari Cina sampai ke Afrika Selatan. Letusannya terjadi selama 1 minggu dan lontaran debunya mencapai 10 km di atas permukaan laut. Kejadian ini menyebabkan kematian massal dan pada beberapa spesies juga diikuti kepunahan.

Menurut beberapa bukti DNA, letusan ini juga menyusutkan jumlah manusia sampai sekitar 60% dari jumlah populasi manusia bumi saat itu, yaitu sekitar 60 juta manusia. Letusan itu juga ikut menyebabkan terjadinya zaman es, walaupun para ahli masih memperdebatkannya.


Setelah letusan tersebut, terbentuk kaldera yang kemudian terisi oleh air dan menjadi yang sekarang dikenal sebagai Danau Toba. Tekanan ke atas oleh magma yang belum keluar itulah yang menyebabkan munculnya Pulau Samosir. Selain pulau samosir, letusan gunung api juga menyebabkan munculnya semenanjung di daratan pulau sumatera yang kini menjadi kota kecil Prapat.

5.Spratly Islands: Pulau Sengketa Yang Diperebutkan 5 Negara

Kepulauan Spratly merupakan rangkaian lebih dari 750 karang, pulau, atol, cays dan pulau-pulau di Laut Cina Selatan antara Filipina, Cina, Malaysia, Brunei, dan Vietnam. Panjangnya 425.000 km laut. Spratlys merupakan bagian dari tiga kepulauan di Laut Cina Selatan, terdiri dari lebih dari 30.000 pulau dan terumbu karang dengan geografis yang begitu rumit sehingga menyulitkan menentukan batas-batas internasional.

Spratly Islands:  Pulau Sengketa Yang Diperebutkan 5 Negara
Spratly Islands: Pulau Sengketa Yang Diperebutkan 5 Negara

Pulau-pulau ini tidak memiliki penduduk asli, namun konon, di sana ada tempat pemancingan yang menarik. Berdasarkan hasil survey sementara, kemungkinan pulau-pulau itu mengandung minyak dan gas yang tinggi.

Masing-masing negara yang terlibat sengketa membangun pangkalan 
militer di pulau-pulau itu
Masing-masing negara yang terlibat sengketa membangun pangkalan militer di pulau-pulau itu

Mungkin penemuan ini pula yang menarik Negara-negara yang merasa pulau-pulau itu masuk wilayahnya. Tak heran masing-masing Negara yang mengklaim itu membuat pangkalan militer di 45 pulau untuk menunjukkan eksistensi mereka.



6.Peacock, Pulau Suci di Tengah Sungai


Pulau mungil Peacock Island disebut pulau suci karena adanya kompleks candi suci Umananda. Pulau mungil ini berada di tengah sungai Brahmaputra yang luas di Provinsi Assam, India. Candi Umananda dibangun di Guwahati pada 1594, oleh Raja Ahom Assam.





Di antara candi-candi yang terdapat di Assam, candi pemujaan Dewa Siwa inilah salah satu yang paling banyak pengunjungnya. Untuk mencapai kuil, orang harus menyeberangi sungai dengan perahu dari Kachari ghat. Ada juga layanan feri yang tersedia dari jam 7 pagi di pagi sampai 5 sore di malam hari.

7. Jawa, Pulau Terpadat di Dunia


Jawa adalah salah satu pulau yang berpenduduk terpadat di dunia. Berdasarkan sensus 2006, penduduk Jawa mencapai 130 juta jiwa. Inilah pulau terpadat penduduknya di dunia melebihi Honsu, pulau utama di Jepang. Jawa yang dulunya merupakan pusat dari Kerajaan Hindu-Buddha, Kesultanan Islam, juga kekuatan kolonial Hindia Belanda, kini memainkan peranan dominan dalam kehidupan politik dan ekonomi Indonesia.



Berdasarkan sejarahnya, sebagian besar Pulau Jawa terbentuk dari peristiwa vulkanik. Jawa juga merupakan kelima terbesar di Indonesia dan pulau ke-13 terbesar di dunia. Sebuah rantai pegunungan vulkanis membentuk tulang belakang timur-barat sepanjang pulau. Memiliki tiga bahasa utama, meskipun bahasa Jawa dominan dan merupakan bahasa asli dari 60 juta orang di Indonesia, yang sebagian besar tinggal di Jawa. Kebanyakan warga adalah bilingual, dengan Bahasa Indonesia sebagai bahasa kedua. Sementara sebagian besar penduduk Jawa adalah Muslim.

8.Azores: Bisa Memasak Tanpa Kompor

Pulau yang berada di samudera Atlantik ini sungguh unik, anda datang dan ingin memasak, tak perlu memikirkan membuat kompor, cukup galilah tanah dan masukkan panci, maka makanan anda pun akan matang. Azores adalah kepulauan vulkanik yang berada di lepas pantai Portugal.Keunikan lainnya adalah pulau ini cuacanya yang bisa berubah dengan cepat.






Kalau keadaan normal maka pada musim dingin berkisar 13 drajat Celcius musim panas 22 drajat celcius. Namun di sini cuaca bisa berubah dengan cepat. Tak heran penduduk mengatakan, di pulau ini anda dapat menyaksikan empat musim dalam satu hari. Aneh, bukan?



9. Ellesmere Pulau Kecil yang Beku





Ellesmere adalah salah satu pulau di dunia yang suhunya mencapai titik beku. Pulau yang masuk wilayah Kanada, berada di sebelah barat Greenland ini, merupakan alam yang tandus yang menjadi ‘laboratorium’ para pakar geologi dan pakar biologi yang sedang mempelajari perubahan alam.

10. Ometepe: Pulau Tertua di Dunia Terbentuk dari Gunung Api

Ometepe: adalah salah satu pulau paling tua di dunia. Terbentuk dari dua gunung api yang menyembul dari danau Nikaragua di Republik Nikaragua. Namanya berasal dari bahasa Nahuatl. Kata ome (dua) dan tepetl (pegunungan), yang berarti dua gunung. Dua gunung api itu adalah Concepción dan Maderas .






Meski ini merupakan pulau gunung api yang berbahaya, namun ada penduduk tinggal di sana, yang jumlahnya sekitar 35.000 jiwa. Mata pencarian penduduk utamanya pertanian, beternak. Daerah ini juga masuk dalam areal pariwisata.

sumber : http://wahw33d.blogspot.com/2010/03/10-pulau-paling-menakjubkan-di-dunia.html#ixzz1EktAsifx

Minggu, Februari 06, 2011

[LYRICS] 그 사람 ( Geu Saram / That Person ) - Lee Seung Cheul

geu saram nal utge han saram
geu saram nal ulge han saram
geu saram ttatteutan ipsullo naege
nae simjangeul chajajun saram

geu sarang jiul su eomneunde
geu sarang ijeul su eomneunde
geu saram nae sum gateun saram
geureon sarami tteonaganeyo

geu sarama saranga apeun gaseuma
amugeotdo moreun sarama
saranghaetgo tto saranghaeseo
bonael su bakke eomneun sarama..nae saranga

nae gaseum neodeol georindedo
geu chueok nareul sewo jjilleodo
geu saram heullil nunmuri
nareul deoukdeo apeuge haneyo

geu sarama saranga apeun gaseuma

amugeotdo moreuneun sarama
nunmul daesin seulpeum daesin
nareul itgo haengbokhage sarajwo...nae saranga

urisarmi dahaeseo 
uri dunun gameulttae geuttae hanbeon gieokhae

geu sarama saranga apeun gaseuma
amugeotdo moreun sarama
saranghaetgo tto saranghaeseo
bonael su bakke eomneun sarama..

nae saranga nae saranga nae saranga

[LYRICS] Hope is a Dream that Doesn’t Sleep - Kyuhyun (Suju)

Na wiroweodo dwae neol saengkhakhal ddaen
Misoga na ye eolgure beoncheo
Na himdeureodo dwae niga haengbokhal ddaen
Sarangi nae mam katooki jaewo

Oneuldo nan ggeochin sesangsoge saljiman
Himdeurodo noon kamoonmyeon ni moseubpoon
Ajikdo gwikka ye deulryeo oneun goomdeuri
Na ye gyeottaeseo neol hyanghae kago ittjana

Nae salmi haruharu goommeul gooneun geotcheoreom
Neowa hamkke majubomyeon saranghal soo ittamyeon
Dashi ilreosol geoya

Na ye ge sojoonghaetteon ki yok sogge haengbokdul
Himdeul shigan sogeseodo deowook ddasoohae doen
Himangeun naegen chamdeulji ahneun goom

Neul na ye gyeottaeseo geurimjacheoreom
Joyongi neoneun naegero wasseo
Na apahaneunji maeil wiro woonji
Geurioomeuro neoneun naege da nyeoga
Sesangi nal oolge haedo naneun gwaenchana
Hangsang niga naye gyeottae isseunika
Meojicheoreom chooeogi byeonhaeseo deonalga
Geucheo utseumyeon maeumeul dalrae yeo bwado

Nae salmi haru haru goomeul gooneun geotcheoreom
Neowa hamkke majubo myeo saranghal soo itdamyeon
Dashi irreoseol geoya
http://awansetya18.blogspot.com/
Na ye ge sojoonghaeddeon kiyeoksoge haengbokdeul
Himdeul shigan sogeseodeo deowook ddasoohaedeon
Himangeun naegen chamdeulji ahneun goom

Soo eobsi neomocheo bikeuldaedo
Naneun ireokke seo itjana
Nae mam hanapunninde
Himdeul ttaemyeon niga ireokke himi dwae jullae
Neoreul hyanghae yeongwoni
Ireokke sangcheo soge seulpoom deureun samkin chae
Miso jitneun nae moseubeul neoyege boyeo joolke
Ijeneun apeuji ahna

Eojena neowa hamkke irugopeun goom ango
Gal soo eobdeon jeopyeon eh seo neoreul boollo beolge
Nae maeum dahae saranghaeneun neoreul

Jumat, Januari 28, 2011

LAOS

Profil
ສາທາລະນະລັດປະຊາທິປະໄຕ
ປະຊາຊົນລາວ
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao


 
                 Flag                              Symbol
Motto : "Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity"
Official Name: Rep. Lao People's Democratic.
Area: 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq mi)
Population: 6,521,988 (July 2007)
Capital City: Vientiane (319,000 approx.)
People: Lao (52.5%), Phuthai (10.5%), Khmu (11%), Hmong (6.9%). Official total is 47 ethnic groups.
Currency: Kip
Religion(s): The population is 65.4% Buddhist, with 33.1% animist, 1.3 % Christian and 0.1% Other, including a tiny Islamic minority (1995 census).
Language: Lao (official language), Palaungwa, and Tai
Anthem: Te Deum Sad Tang Lao Sa Sulu Ma'khun Asie You Nei
Independence: July 19, 1949 (from the French colonizers)
Major political parties: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (Leader: Choummaly Savasone)
Government: One-party Republic
Head of State: President Choummaly Savasone
Prime Minister/Premier: HE Bouasone Bouphavanh
Foreign Minister: Dr Thomas Sisoulith (also Deputy Prime Minister)
Membership of international groupings/organisations: Laos is a member of the United Nations (UN), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G77), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). In addition: ACCT, APT, ARF, ASDB, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOO, WTO (observer). (Note on Lao Names: Lao people generally have two names, the first being the given name and the second the family name. Nevertheless, if only one name is used, it should be the first, eg, President Choummaly.)

Government and politics

Haw Kham Palace in Laos
Pha That Luang in Vientiane, the national symbol of Laos
Laos is a communist single-party socialist republic. The only legal political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The head of state is President Choummaly Sayasone, who also is secretary-general (leader) of the LPRP. The head of government is Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh. Government policies are determined by the party through the all-powerful nine-member Politburo and the 49-member Central Committee. Important government decisions are vetted by the Council of Ministers. Laos' first, French-written and monarchical constitution was promulgated on May 11, 1947 and declared it to be an independent state within the French Union. The revised constitution of 11 May 1957 omitted reference to the French Union, though close educational, health and technical ties with the former colonial power persisted. The 1957 document was abrogated on 3 December 1975, when a communist People's Republic was proclaimed. A new constitution was adopted in 1991 and enshrined a "leading role" for the LPRP.The following year, elections were held for a new 85-seat National Assembly with members elected by secret ballot to five-year terms. This National Assembly, which essentially acts as a rubber stamp for the LPRP, approves all new laws, although the executive branch retains authority to issue binding decrees. The most recent elections took place in April 2006. The assembly was expanded to 99 members in 1997 and in 2006 elections had 115.

Administrative divisions

Laos is divided into 18 provinces (qwang) and Vientiane Capital (Na Kone Luang Vientiane):
provinces in Laos


  1. Attapu                         10. Phongsali
  2. Bokeo                          11. Salavan
  3. Bolikhamxai                12. Savannakhet
  4. Champasak                 13. Vientiane Capital*
  5. Houaphan                    14. Vientiane Province
  6. Khammouan                15. Xaignabouli
  7. Loung Namtha                        16. Xaisomboun **
  8. Louangphabang          17. Xekong
  9. Oudomxai                   18. Xiangkhouang main article: Phonsavan-Province Capital

The country is further divided into districts (muang).

Geography
Rivers are an important means of transport in Laos.
Astronomically, the Lao territory situated between 14 ° N - 22 ° N and 100 ° E - 107 ° east. Laos is a country that oppressed by the mainland in the Middle-East Asia, bordering the People's Republic of China in the north, Vietnam in the East, in southern Cambodia, and Thailand in the west. From the 14th century until the 18th century, the country was called Lan Xang or "Affairs of the Thousand Elephants". Laos is a country that oppressed by the mainland in Southeast Asia and covered with dense forest of mostly mountainous, the highest one of which is the Phou Bia with an altitude of 2817 m above sea level. Laos also has some lowlands and highlands. River Mekong forms a large part of its border with Thailand , whereas the mountains of Annam Chain form most of the eastern border with Vietnam. Climate is tropical and influenced by seasonal wind. The rainy season lasts from May to November, followed by a dry season from December to April. The capital and largest city of Laos is Vientiane , the other major cities include Luang Prabang , Savannakhet , and Pakse. In 1993, the government announced 21% of the country as National Biodiversity Conservation Area (National Biodiversity Conservation Area / NBCA), which may be developed into a national park. When you've finished, then he is expected to be the best and largest national park in Southeast Asia. A number of new animal species have been discovered or rediscovered in Laos in recent years. These include rabbit Annam , saola , and most recently the Laotian rock rat or kha-nyou.

Buses connect the major cities.

Economy

The Lao economy is heavily dependent on investment and trade with its neighbors, Thailand, Vietnam, and, especially in the north, China. Pakxe has also experienced growth based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam.Subsistence agriculture still accounts for half of the GDP and provides 80 percent of employment. Only 4.01 percent of the country is arable land, and 0.34 percent used as permanent crop land, the lowest percentage in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80 percent of the arable land area used for growing rice. Approximately 77 percent of Lao farm households are self-sufficient in rice. Through the development, release and widespread adoption of improved rice varieties, and through economic reforms, production has increased by an annual rate of 5 percent between 1990 and 2005, and Lao PDR achieved a net balance of rice imports and exports for the first time in 1999. Lao PDR may have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Since 1995 the Lao government has been working with the International Rice Research Institute to collect seed samples of each of the thousands of rice varieties found in Laos. The economy receives development aid from the IMF, ADB and other international sources, and foreign direct investment for development of the society, industry, hydropower and mining, most notably copper and gold. Tourism is the fastest-growing industry in the country. Economic development in Laos has been hampered by brain drain, with a skilled emigration rate of 37.4 percent in 2000. Laos is rich in mineral resources but imports petroleum and gas. Metallurgy is an important industry, and the government hopes to attract foreign investment to develop the substantial deposits of coal, gold, bauxite, tin, copper and other valuable metals. In addition, the country's plentiful water resources and mountainous terrain enable it to produce and export large quantities of hydroelectric energy. Of the potential capacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been committed for exporting to Thailand and Vietnam.

Culture

Larb Gai with sticky rice
A Laotian meal in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Theravada Buddhism is a dominant influence in Lao culture. It is reflected throughout the country from language to the temple and in art, literature, performing arts, etc. Many elements of Lao culture predate Buddhism, however. For example, Laotian music is dominated by its national instrument, the khaen, a type of bamboo pipe that has prehistoric origins. The khaen traditionally accompanied the singer in lam, the dominant style of folk music. Among the various lam styles, the lam saravane is probably the most popular.The country has two World Heritage Sites: Luang Prabang and Vat Phou. The government is seeking the same status for the Plain of Jars.Sticky Rice is a characteristic staple food and has cultural and religious significance to the Lao people. Sticky rice is generally preferred over jasmine rice, and sticky rice cultivation and production is thought to have originated in Laos. There are many traditions and rituals associated with rice production in different environments, and among many ethnic groups. For example, Khammu farmers in Luang Prabang plant the rice variety Khao Kam in small quantities near the hut in memory of dead parents, or at the edge of the rice field to indicate that parents are still alive.

Education

The adult literacy rate exceeds two thirds, The male literacy rate exceeds the female literacy rate. In 2004 the net primary enrollment rate was at 84%.The National University of Laos is the Laos state's public university. The total Literacy Rate Is 73% (2010 est.)

Marriage

Polygamy is officially a crime in Laos, though the penalty is minor. The constitution and Family Code bars the legal recognition of polygamous marriages, stipulating that monogamy is to be the principle key of contracting a marriage in the country. While rare, there have been cases of polygamy practiced within the Hmong people.

Dance and theater of Laos
The Dance and theatre of Laos is the primary dramatic art form of Laos' majority ethnic group, the Lao people. It is shared with the ethnic Lao that inhabit the Isan region of Thailand as well. There are mainly two types of dances (or dance-dramas), the classical dances performed in the royal courts and the folk dances now associated with morlam. Shadow puppetry, although not associated with dance, is an important part of Lao theatrical traditions. Various dance-drama troupes, mostly operating out of Louang Phrabang and Vientiane, continue to teach the old classical court dances and more Khmer-influenced dramas and folk dances, respectively.

Classical Dance and Theatre

Masked dancers about to perform a khon dance-drama based on the Phra Lak Phra Ram.
The dance-dramas of Laos were originally only performed for the royal court. The dance-dramas and musical accompaniment are all very similar to those of Thai and Cambodian classical dances. Lao legends of the first ruler of Lan Xang say that in addition to a large army of Khmer soldiers, he was also accompanied by many female dancers from the court of Angkor.[2] Most dance dramas depict scenes from the Phra Lak Phra Ram, or the Lao Ramayana and the Sadok, or Jataka. Other scenes come from legends, historical epics such as Sin Xay, stories from local or Hindu mythology, or adaptations of stories from surrounding nations. Lao classical dance has two main forms, khone and lakhone. Each is accompanied by Lao classical music.

Lam Lao                                                                      Folk Dance

A folk dance in the Rocket Festival parade in Yasothorn, Thailand. The Lao of Isan have preserved Lao cultural traditions, including morlam and folk music.
A khene player and Lao dancers at a morlam performance in France.

List of festivals in Laos
Laotian Festivals are usually based on Theravada Buddhism.

Notable festivals


Music of Laos
Laos is dominated by the Lao but includes minorities of Hmong, Mien, Kmhmu, among many others. The most distinctive Lao musical instrument is a bamboo mouth organ called a khene. The instrument was supposedly invented by a woman trying to imitate the calls of the garawek bird. The woman took the new instrument to her king, and he told her it was fair, but that he wanted more. She modified the instrument and he replied "Tia nee khaen dee" (this time it was better).

Lao music

Lao folk music, known as Lam, is extemporaneous singing accompanied by the khene. The Lao classical orchestra can be divided into two categories, Sep Nyai (or Mahori) and Sep Noi. The Sep Nyai is ceremonial and formal music and includes: two sets of gongs (kong vong), a xylophone (lanat), an oboe (pei or salai), two large kettle drums and two sets of cymbals (xing).

Mor lam

Ensembles typically include two singers (mor lam, the same term referring to the genre of music) - one male and one female -, a khene player (mor khaen), and other instruments including fiddles, flutes and bells. Music varies widely across Laos, with the lam saravane style being most popular, while the city of Luang Prabang is known for a slow form called khaplam wai. An extremely popular form developed in Thailand is called mor lam sing, and is faster and electrified.

Popular music

In the 1960s, Thai lam nu and lam ploen contributed to the development of lam luang, which is a form of song (and dance) which often has narrative lyrics. It's better to give than to receive.

Tourism in Laos
The tourism sector has grown rapidly, from 14,400 tourists visiting Laos in 1990, to 1.1 million in 2005. Annual tourism sector revenues are expected to grow to $250–300 million by 2020. Recently, Laos has become more popular with tourists among whom it is known for its relaxed style of living. It is seen to have elements of the "original Asia" lost elsewhere. The official tourism slogan is "Simply Beautiful". The attractions made most accessible to tourists are Buddhist culture in Luang Prabang, gastronomy in the capital of Vientiane, backpacking in Vang Vieng and ancient and modern culture and history in The Plain of Jars region (main article: Phonsavan), trekking in Phongsaly or Luang Namtha, elephants in Sainyabuli, and a cave in Oudomxay. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in Laos. It is governed by a ministry-level government agency, the Lao National Tourism Administration, located in Vientiane.

Tourist attractions:

Pha That Luang stupa, Vientiane, Laos.

Vientiane

Refer to main article Vientiane.

 



 

Luang Prabang

Reclining Buddha, Luang Prabang, Laos
Refer to main article Luang Prabang







Xieng Khouang- The Plain of Jars

Xiengkhouang Province is home to Plain of Jars and part of Laos Northern Heritage Route (together with Luang Prabang, Houapan and Sayabouri). With its pine forests and much cooler climate it the plateau is different to other regions in Laos or South East Asia. The Jars are Iron Age cemetery sites with a beautiful minimalistic aesthetics that due to their ubiquitousness could also be considered land art. More recently the province took most of the burden of the so-called Secret War. Many of the sites can be visited. The province can be explored individually by motorbike or by booking one of many tours on offer in Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng. Standard tours visit the major jar sites and the once magnificent capital of Muang Khoun. There are also much more interesting ecotourism and culture tours that have been developed together with UNESCO, Helvetas or DED such as a two day trek to the remote Hmong village Ban Phakeo or a one day trek to Ban Napia and Ban Namka to learn about sustainable energy and the making of “War Spoons” from UXO war scrap. Refer to Phonsavan or to Wikitravel for detailed information about what to do and how to get there.

  • Plain of Jars
  • Phonsavan Main article for history, attractions, activities and natural sites in Xiengkhouang Province



Champasak

Champasak

Refer to main article Champasak

 

 

 

 

 


Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng_lang-lo
The backpackers paradise with loud music bars and silent forests. Ideal for tubing and watching old episodes of friends.
Refer to main article Vang Vieng.







Luang Namtha, Laos

Ecotourism

In many Lao provinces you can get off the beaten track and book package tours from local agencies or the tourism offices. You can experience the real village life or do elephant trekking among other things. The best places for trekking are Luang Namtha and Phongsaly. For a combination of history and village culture go trekking around Phonsavan.