Facts About Laos Laos is a small, landlocked country located in the interior of Southeast Asia's strategic Indochinese Peninsula. The People's Republic of China lies to the north, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Myanmar and Thailand to the west. Laos is a mountainous country, especially in the north, where peaks rise above 9,000 ft (2,800 m). Dense forests cover the northern and eastern areas. The Mekong River, which forms the boundary with Myanmar and Thailand, flows through the country for 932 mi (1,500 km) of its course. Laos was a part of French Indochina after 1893 and was granted full independence in 1953. After the French departed, a protracted civil war ensued. In 1975 the Communist forces gained control, the King was forced to abdicate, and Laos became a people's republic. OFFICIAL NAME IN ENGLISH Lao People's Democratic Republic OFFICIAL NAME IN LAO Sathalanalat Pasathipatai Pasason Lao LAND Area: 236,800 sq km (91,429 sq mi) Capital and largest city: Vientiane (2006 est. pop., 730,000) Elevations:  highest - Mount Bia, 2,820 m (9,252 ft) lowest - Along the Mekong River, 76 m (250 ft) PEOPLE Population (2006 est.): 6,200,000 Density: 17 persons per sq km (44 per sq mi) Distribution (2006): 17% urban, 83% rural Annual growth (2006): 2.45% Official language: Lao Major religions: Buddhism, traditional religions ECONOMY GDP (2006 est.):  $11.9 billion $1,900 per capita Labor distribution (2006):  agriculture - 80% commerce and services - 18% manufacturing - 2% Foreign trade (2006 est.):  exports - $379 million imports - $541 million principal trade partners - Thailand, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Russia Currency: kip (10,000 kip = 1 US dollar) GOVERNMENT Type: Communist one-party state Legislature: Supreme Peoples Assembly Administrative subdivisions: 16 provinces, 1 municipality Government leaders (2006):  Choummaly Sayasone - President Bouasone Bouphavanh - Prime Minister EDUCATION AND HEALTH Literacy (2006): 66% of population Universities (2006): 3 Hospital beds (2006 est.): 6,500 Life expectancy (2006):  women - 57 years men - 53 years Infant mortality (2006): 85 deaths per 1,000 live births. TRANSPORTATION Railroads (2006): none Roads (2006 est): 33,000 km Major ports: none Airports (2006 est): 44

Lao Sites | Lao Pride | Lao Photos | Lao Pictures | Lao Friends | Lao Babes | Free Musical E-Cards

Google™ is a registered trademark of Google, Inc. This website is in no way affiliated with Google or any part of Google, Inc. All images and page design are Copyright © 2008 GoogleLaos.com All Rights Reserved.