Salavan (city) explained

Salavan
Native Name Lang:lo
Settlement Type:District and municipality
Official Name:Salavan District
Pushpin Map:Laos
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:City location in Laos
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Salavan
Leader Title:Mayor
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:2015
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:100,900
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Population Blank2:Buddhism
Timezone:ICT
Utc Offset:+7
Coordinates:15.7167°N 131°W

Salavan (Lao: ສາລະວັນ, in Lao pronounced as /sǎː.lā.wán/) is the capital of Salavan Province in southern Laos. It is also a provincial district. It is 125 km from Pakse on a partially paved road.[2]

Geography

Salavan is in the southernmost area of Laos, one of the most isolated regions of the country. The city is in a densely forested area that has seen little development outside the city. Dozens of indigenous villages of various tribes surround Salavan.[2]

Culture

Salavan's local culture is influenced by the Lao Loum, lowland Lao who form the majority of the population of both the city and country, as well as hill tribe and former colonial French cultures. Salavan is starting to become a popular backpacking destination for tourists in Indochina and has a "frontier town"-like feel because of the dearth of settlements outside the city.[2] Salavan is known for its version of Lao dance, which has spread to throughout the entire nation. The Lao language is the most spoken language in the city. French is also spoken by a minority, a legacy of the French colonial rule.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Results of Population and Housing Census 2015 . Lao Statistics Bureau . 19 February 2024.
  2. Web site: Salavan Travel Guide. 2010-11-10.