Laos is a charming little country in Southeast Asia. It is situated on the geo-strategic axis of the Lower Mekong River, with a surface area of 236,800 square kilometers. Much of the country is covered by mountains and rivers, which gives its stunning natural landscapes. Theravada Buddhist is the major religion in this country. With just over five million inhabitants, Laos is one of the

least populated countries in the region.
 

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. They rely on the rich fertile soil along the 1,865 kilometers segment of the Mekong River that flows through Laos. The Mekong is therefore the country’s main thoroughfare.
 

When one sees the warm, welcoming smile of the people in Laos today, it is hard to believe that they have been through such difficult times. The visitors to Laos today will experience the richness of the Theravada Buddhist culture, the long history of the country, the life style of several different interesting ethnic minorities, breathtakingly beautiful nature and especially absence of 21st century opulence.