Laos is a landlocked country in mainland Southeast Asia, known for its mountainous terrain and lush forests, dominated by the Mekong River system. As the world's only landlocked country in the region, it borders Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. With a history as a French protectorate and a communist revolution in 1975, Laos is a one-party state that has undergone economic liberalization in recent decades, but remains heavily reliant on foreign aid and agriculture. The nation's culture blends Buddhist spirituality with French colonial influences, evident in its temples and architecture.