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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 ENGLISHLao People's Democratic Republic OFFICIAL NAME IN LAOSathalanalat Pasathipatai Pasason Lao LANDArea: 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)

PEOPLEPopulation (2006 est.): 6,200,000 Density: 17 persons per sq km (44 per sq mi)Distribution (2006): 17% urban, 83% ruralAnnual growth (2006): 2.45%Official language: LaoMajor religions: Buddhism, traditional religionsECONOMY
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 millionimports - $541 million principal trade partners - Thailand, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Russia
Currency: kip (10,000 kip = 1 US dollar)GOVERNMENTType: Communist one-party stateLegislature: Supreme Peoples AssemblyAdministrative subdivisions: 16 provinces, 1 municipality
Government leaders (2006):
Choummaly Sayasone - PresidentBouasone Bouphavanh - Prime Minister
EDUCATION AND HEALTHLiteracy (2006): 66% of populationUniversities (2006): 3Hospital beds (2006 est.): 6,500
Life expectancy (2006):
women - 57 yearsmen - 53 years
Infant mortality (2006): 85 deaths per 1,000 live births. TRANSPORTATIONRailroads (2006): noneRoads (2006 est): 33,000 kmMajor ports: noneAirports (2006 est): 44

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