Phou Bia Explained

Fetchwikidata:ALL
Phou Bia
Prominence M:2079
Map:Laos
Label Position:left
Listing:Country high point
Ultra
Location:Laos
Range:Annamite Range
Coordinates:18.9817°N 103.1519°W
Module:
Wikidata:yes
Zoom:10

Phou Bia (Lao: ພູເບັ້ຍ, in Lao pronounced as /pʰúː bîa/) is the highest mountain in Laos. It is in the Annamese Cordillera, at the southern limit of the Xiangkhoang Plateau in Xaisomboun Province. Owing to its elevation—2,819 m (9,249 ft), the highest terrestrial point in Laos, the climate is cold and the area around the mountain is mostly cloudy.

History

Although no snow has been reported for decades, it is claimed that as late as the first years of the 20th century, snow fell occasionally on its summit.

On 10 April 1970, an Air America C-130A aircraft crashed into the mountain.[1]

The area is remote, covered with jungle, and has been used by Hmong guerilla soldiers. In the 1970s, c. 60,000 Hmong supporting FAC operations took refuge at the Phou Bia massif.[2] There have been reports of smaller Hmong hideouts in the area as recently as 2006.[3]

Phou Bia rises in a restricted military area near the abandoned Long Chen air base, and for this reason sees few outside visitors. Unexploded ordnance further complicates access. As of July 2008, there had been no known ascent by a non-Lao person for at least 30 years.

In 2021, Xaisomboun Province officials announced the development of Phou Bia Mountain as a "sustainable development tourism site", valued at some US$500 million. The development will center on Phou Houa Xang Village, in Anouvong District, Xaisomboun, under a 99-year concession.[4]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Laos Incident List 1970-1973 (Incidents, Casualties, Rescues, Captures and Unknowns). Angel Fire. Thomas E.. Lee. 25 June 2011.
  2. Christopher Robbins, The Ravens: Pilots of the Secret War in Laos. Asia Books 2000.
  3. Web site: Hmong Women, Children Leave Hiding Place in Laos Special Zone; Call US for Help by Cell Phone. Huntington News Network. 2008-07-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20071010014855/http://www.huntingtonnews.net/national/060708-staff-laos.html. 2007-10-10. dead.
  4. News: Thanabouasy . Phayboune . Unrest in Xaysomboun Province Now Resolved . 25 January 2021 . The Laotian Times . 22 January 2021.