Bolaven Plateau
The Bolaven Plateau is an elevated region in southern
Historical significance
The Bolaven Plateau has had an important role in the greater history of Laos. The three most significant historical periods which have greatly affected the area are the French colonization of the region, the Phu Mi Bun Revolt, and the Vietnam War. Each event has had a significant effect upon the Plateau and given the area its own unique character and importance.
French colonization
In 1893, the French first annexed territories east of the
The second period that helps define the history of the Plateau is the Phu Mi Bun Revolt. The revolt erupted in 1901 and was not suppressed until 1907. It was a “major rebellion by local Lao Theung tribes (the Alak, Nyaheun and Laven) against French domination".[2] Though there is not extensive literature on these particular revolutionary revolts in the Bolaven Plateau, one can see that the native communities desired to rid the region of the extensive and overpowering influence of their colonizers.[3]
The Vietnam War
The Bolaven Plateau greatly suffered during the Vietnam War. The Bolaven Plateau was one of “the most heavily-bombed theatres of the
Culture
The predominant ethnic group in the Bolaven Plateau is the
Economy
Literature on the Bolaven Plateau often focuses on two primary economic contributors to the region: agricultural production and tourism. Both contribute greatly to the plateau’s revenue.
The French first began farming and other agricultural techniques in the Bolaven Plateau including the production of coffee, rubber, and bananas in the early 20th century. Since the French's initial influence, "the plateau remained an important agricultural area growing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, as well as cash crops such as cardamom".[6] However, it was the French introduction of the production of coffee that has proved most useful to the region.
During colonization, the French introduced the production of “high quality stock of both Arabica and Robusta strains. Production declined during the war years, but is now experiencing a renaissance”.
Tourism
Tourism has taken a hold in the Bolaven Plateau because of the unique aspects of the region that have triggered great intrigue. The most popular places visited by tourists are the waterfalls in the region, the villages of the ethnic minorities, and other geopolitical areas of interest.
The Bolaven Province has a number of waterfalls. The Tad Lo Waterfalls that are approximately 58 miles from northeast Pakse are a common destination.[citation needed] The "lush vegetation" that surrounds the waterfall makes it a desired destination though the fall itself "drops only a few meters".[7] In addition, one can go "beyond Paksong on the way to Pakse [where] another spectacular waterfall, Taat Fang (also known as Dong Hua Sao), tumbles 120 metres, making it the tallest waterfall in Laos. Well-marked trails lead the physically fit 6 kilometres to the base of the falls":.[7]
Tourist attractions also include the villages of ethnic minorities who have grown accustomed to sharing their culture with visitors to the region. Travel guides inform visitors of nearby villages that can be visited: "Alak, Katu and Suay villages can be found within a few kilometres of the resort".[7] Tourists are also informed of the markets where they can go and observe the cultures of ethnic minorities and purchase items unique to each culture.
The Bolaven Plateau is filled with cultural and geographical areas of interest.[citation needed] Whether it is a boat trip to one of the waterfalls that occupy the region, a tour of the area's coffee plantations, an elephant day trek, or visiting one of the villages of the ethnic minorities, a journey to the Plateau has many opportunities for tourists.[citation needed][8]
Impact crater
Researchers believe that a
References
- .
- ^ a b Stuart-Fox, Martin (2001). Historical Dictionary of Laos. Second Edition. Asian/Oceanian Historical Dictionaries Series No. 35. Maryland: The Scarecrow Press.
- ^ Murdoch, John B. (1974). "The 1901–1902 Holy Man's Rebellion" (free). Journal of the Siam Society. 62 (1). Siam Heritage Trust. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
The 'Holy Man's' uprising of 1901–1902 was a large scale popular rebellion involving Northeast Thailand, Southern Laos, and the adjacent portion of the Vietnamese Central Highlands. Scholarship to date has not adequately considered the rebellion's character as transcending present national boundaries, having common leadership, and growing out of common regional causes.
- ^ a b Lonely Planet. 2009. “Introducing Bolaven Plateau.” URL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/laos/southern-laos/bolaven-plateau
- ^ Legend of the, Ho Chi Minh trail | Laos GPS Map
- ^ a b Fox-Stuart, Martin (2008). Historical Dictionary of Laos. Third Edition. Asian/Oceanian Historical Dictionaries Series No. 68. USA: The Scarecrow Press.
- ^ a b c d CPA Media: The Asia Experts. 2009. "From Champasak to the Bolaven Plateau." URL: "CPAmedia.com: Southern Laos: From Champasak to the Bolaven Plateau". Archived from the original on 2008-09-24. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
- ^ "Bolaven Plateau - Southern Laos". www.southern-Laos.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05.
- PMID 31889003.
- PMC 10723122.
External links
- Media related to Bolaven Plateau at Wikimedia Commons
- "Bolaven Plateau". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2021-06-24.