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Lao People's Democratic Republic
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai
Paxaxon Lao
Flag of Laos
Emblem of Laos
"Peace, independence, democracy, unity and prosperity"
Anthem: Pheng Xat Lao
"Hymn of the Lao People"
Location of  Laos  (green)in ASEAN  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Location of  Laos  (green)

in ASEAN  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]

and largest city
Official languages Lao
Official scripts Lao script
Demonym Laotian, Lao

Unitary communist and

single-party state
Bounnhang Vorachit
Thongloun Sisoulith
Pany Yathotu
Sisavath Keobounphanh
Choummaly Sayasone
Independence From France
• Autonomy
19 July 1949
• Declared
9 Nov 1953
• Total
236,800 km2 (91,400 sq mi) (83rd)
• Water (%)
• 2009 estimate
6,800,000 [1] (104th)
• 1995 census
• Density
26.7/km2 (69.2/sq mi) (177th)
GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate
• Total
$15.693 billion[2] (130th)
• Per capita
$2,435[2] (48th)
GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate
• Total
$6.341 billion[2] (137th)
• Per capita
$984[2] (147th)
Gini (2008) 34.6
HDI (2010) Increase 0.497[3]
low · 122nd
Currency Kip (LAK)
Time zone (UTC+7)
Drives on the right
Calling code 856
ISO 3166 code LA
Internet TLD .la

Lao People's Democratic Republic, or Laos country (ລາວ) for short, is a country in southeast Asia. The capital of Laos is Vientiane.



Geography[change | change source]

Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. The country is slightly smaller than Romania and Colorado. The landscape is mostly rugged mountains. The highest is Phou Bia at 2,818 metres (9,245 feet). The Mekong River forms the border with Thailand. The mountains of the Annamite Range form the eastern border with Vietnam. The climate is tropical. The rainy season is from May to November. The dry season is from December to April. Laos has three seasons (rainy, cold and hot). The capital and largest city is Vientiane.

History[change | change source]

Fa Ngum created the first unifed Lao Kingdom.

Lao became a French colony. In 1949 it became independent from France, as the Kingdom of Laos. Later there was a civil war, and in 1975 it became a republic under control of the communist party.[5]

Provinces[change | change source]

Laos is divided in 16 provinces and one prefecture.

Number State Capital Area (km²) Population
1 Attapeu Attapeu 10,320 114,300
2 Bokeo Ban Houayxay 6,196 149,700
3 Bolikhamsai Paksan 14,863 214,900
4 Champasak Pakse 15,415 575,600
5 Hua Phan Xam Neua 16,500 322,200
6 Khammouane Thakhek 16,315 358,800
7 Luang Namtha Luang Namtha 9,325 150,100
8 Luang Phrabang Luang Phrabang 16,875 408,800
9 Oudomxay Muang Xay 15,370 275,300
10 Phongsali Phongsali 16,270 199,900
11 Sayabouly Sayabouly 16,389 382,200
12 Salavan Salavan 10,691 336,600
13 Savannakhet Savannakhet 21,774 721,500
14 Sekong Sekong 7,665 83,600
15 Vientiane Vientiane 3,920 726,000
16 Vientiane Muang Phon-Hong 15,927 373,700
17 Xieng Khouang Phonsavan 15,880 229,521

Government and politics[change | change source]

Laos is one of the world's five remaining communist states. The only legal political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The head of state is President Choummaly Sayasone. He is the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Shortly after the end of the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) joined forces with the Pathet Lao, started a coup on December 2, 1975 to overthrow the royalist Lao government, and established a communist government that continues to run the country to this day.

The head of government is Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong. Government policies are determined by the party. Important government decisions are checked by the Council of Ministers.

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Background notes – Laos". US Dept. of State. Retrieved 20 January 2011. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Laos". International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 30 April 2011. 
  3. "Human Development Report 2009. Human development index trends: Table G" (PDF). The United Nations. Retrieved 5 October 2009. 
  4. "The World Factbook: Laos". 1 March 2011. CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 
  5. "Laos country profile". 7 February 2011. BBC News. Retrieved 12 March 2011.