Lao People's Democratic Republic

Lao

Lao People's Democratic Republic

GENERAL INFORMATION
Official Name Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Capital Vientiane (Viang Chan).

LAND
Area 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq mi)
Highest Point 2,819 m (9,249 ft) at Phou Bia (Phu Bia) above sea level
Lowest Point Sea level along the coast

CLIMATE
Average Temperatures (Vientiane)
January 22 °C / 72 °F
April 29 °C / 84 °F
Average Annual Precipitation 1,780 mm (about 70 in)

Lao Map
POPULATION

Population 5,556,821 (2000 estimate),
Population Density 23 people per sq km (61 per sq mi) (2000estimate)

  • Urban/Rural Breakdown
    25% Urban
    75% Rural
    (1998 estimate)
  • Largest Cities
    Vientiane
    Louangphrabang
  • Ethnic Groups
    66% the Lao Lum
    The Leu and the Phu-tai; the Black Tai and the Red Tai
  • Languages
    Official Language Lao
    Other Languages, Tai-Kadai, Mon-Khmer, Tibeto-Burman, Hmong-Mien and other minority languages
  • Religions

    Buddhism
    Christianity
    Islam
    Animism

ECONOMY
Gross Domestic Product $1.3 billion (1998)
  • Chief Economic Products
    • Agriculture and Forestry
      Rice, corn, coffee (the only substantial export crop), soybeans, sugarcane, and sweet potatoes
    • Mining
      tin, gypsum, rock salt, and coal
    • Manufacturing
      saw milling, rice milling, brick making, and production of consumer products such as cigarettes, detergents, matches, plastics, beer, and soft drinks
  • Employment Breakdown
    78% Agriculture
    16% Services
    6% Industry
  • Major Exports
    timber, hydroelectricity, coffee, and tin
  • Major Imports
    food, petroleum products, vehicles, machinery, and steel
  • Major Trading Partners
    Thailand, Japan, and China
  • Currency: Kip
    Exchange Rate 920 kip to U.S.$1 (1997 average)

GOVERNMENT

  • Form of Government republic
  • Head of State president – chosen by the National Assembly for a five-year term
  • Head of Government Prime minister
  • Appointed by the head of state upon advice of parliament

EDUCATION
Major Universities and Colleges

  • National University of Laos Vientiane
  • Technical colleges are located in Louangphrabang, Savannakhet, and Pakx?