Laos

Why it sticks

1. 1

   The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.

2. 2

   Per person, it is the most heavily bombed country in history: over 2 million tonnes of bombs fell in 1964–73, and unexploded ordnance remains.

3. 3

   The Plain of Jars holds thousands of ancient stone jars whose purpose is still debated.

4. 4

   The white disc on the flag represents the full moon over the Mekong River.

• Lao script is rounder and simpler than Thai, with fewer sharp angles and fewer loops at the tops of letters.
• Drives on the right, unlike neighbouring Thailand.
• Jungle-covered mountains, wooden stilt houses and red dirt roads.