XIANGKHOANG

also spelled Xieng Khouang, town, north-central Laos. Xiangkhoang lies just south of the Plain of Jarres and is situated in the Xiangkhoang Plateau. Corn (maize) and rice are raised by valley Lao north of Xiangkhoang and by Lao-Theung (Mon-Khmer) and Tai Neua groups in scattered upland areas to the north and east of the town; the Hmong (Miao, or Meo), a highland minority, have traditionally grown opium poppies as a cash crop. The area in which Xiangkhoang is situated also has perhaps the greatest variety of unexploited minerals in Laos, including coal, iron ore, antimony, lead, zinc, silver, and copper. Xiangkhoang is linked to Louangphrabang and Muang Vangviang by highway. Pop. (1958 est.) town, 4,000.