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The only legal political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The head of state is President Khamtay Siphandone. The head of government is Prime Minister Bounnhang Vorachit. Government policies are determined by the party through the all-powerful ten-member Politburo and the 52-member Central Committee. Important government decisions...
Laos is a poor, landlocked country with an inadequate infrastructure and a largely unskilled work force. The country's per capita income in 2002 was estimated to be $320. Agriculture, mostly subsistence rice farming, dominates the economy, employing an estimated 85% of the population and producing 53% of GDP. Domestic savings are low, forcing Laos to...
In colonial days French was introduced in the country and is still spoken in towns today, particularly by the older generation. Increasingly, English is being used by the government and the younger generation in the towns are also learning to speak English. Lao music and dance have much in common with those of Thailand. Popular instruments include bamboo...
By the 17th century, the kingdom of Lan Xang entered a period of decline marked by dynastic struggle and conflicts with its neighbors. In the late 18th century, the Siamese (Thai) established hegemony over much of what is now Laos. The region was divided into principalities centered on Luang Prabang in the north, Vientiane in the center, and Champassak...
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: 236,800 sq km land area: 230,800 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Utah Land boundaries: total 5,083 km, Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked...
Laos' population was estimated at over 6 million in 2004, dispersed unevenly across the country. Most people live in valleys of the Mekong River and its tributaries. Vientiane prefecture, the capital and largest city, had about 633,000 residents in 2002. The country's population density was 25/sq. km. About half the country's people are ethnic Lao,...
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