A Brief Description Rich in Buddhist traditions and beliefs, this ancient landlocked land called Laos was controlled by Thailand (Siam) through most of the 19th century until becoming a part of French Indochina, a federation of French colonies and protectorates in Southeast Asia. In 1953 it declared its independence from France, and in a somewhat typical manner of a new nation, civil war and internal conflict followed, and in Laos it lasted for about twenty years. Thrust onto the world stage during the Vietnam War, it suffered through heavy bombing and the subsequent loss of people and infrastructure. It emerged from that conflict as one of the poorest countries on the planet, as most of its citizens were lacking in education and useful training. Over the last few decades some levels of economic and governmental progress have occurred, and underneath it all, Laos has great natural resources, including tremendous potential in the mining and timber industries. The lifeline of the country, the Mekong River, is its major corridor of transportation for goods and services, and the source of its electric energy. Looking into the future, with much-needed change in its restrictive tourism policies, and overall improvement in manufacturing and technology, Laos may finally emerge as an important force in the Southeast Asia. For more information on Laos, click here. Rice planters, Laos! Travel the World through Poster Art! Facts and Figures Name Laos (long form) Lao People's Democratic Republic Population 6,217,100 Population & Density (all countries) here Capital City Vientiane (510,000) Currency Kip (LAK) Currency Converter here Languages Lao (official), French, others Flag here National Day December 2 Religions Buddhist (60%), Christian, others Geographic Coordinates Latitude/Longitude (Capital City) 17º 58' N, 102º 36' E Relative Location Laos is in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. It's positioned in Southeast Asia on the northern edges of the tropics and bordered by the countries of Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), China, Vietnam and Cambodia. Land Statistics Coastline 0 (landlocked) Land Areas (land) 89,112 sq miles (230,800 sq km) (water) 2,317 sq miles (6,000 sq km) (TOTAL) 91,429 sq miles (236,800 sq km) Land Area (all countries) here Landforms Almost all of Laos is mountainous with thick green forest. Fronting those mountains and the river valleys, the overall topography is hilly, with very steep terrain. A very small percentage of Laos is farmable, and the limited flat areas (lower lands) are found in the south, and along its Mekong River border with Thailand. Dozens of rivers flow from the upper reaches of the mountains, and as tributaries of the Mekong, southeast Asia's most significant river. Highest Point Phou Bia - 9,242 ft. (2,817 m) Lowest Point Mekong River - (229 ft.) (70 m) Land Divisions 16 provinces, 1 municipality and 1 special zone; provinces include: Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong and Xiangkhoang. The municipality is Vientiane, the special zone is Xaisomboun.

Maps Laos (large color) Map here Laos Outline Map here Laos CIA version here Laos Maps at UT here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Asia Continent (printable) here Asia Outline Map here Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Indian Subcontinent Map here Indochina Map here Middle East Landforms here Middle East Map here Middle East Outline Map here Middle East Rivers here Tsunami Map (December 2004) here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World Outline Maps (printable) here World Time Zone Map here Recommended Links Laos (Complete) info on the (GDP) economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here! Lao Embassy (Washington DC) here Laos Photos at TrekEarth.com here Laos Travel here Laos Travel Guide here Time and Weather Time Zone (UTC +7) Note that UTC is also known as GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time. Conversion details and additional info: here Climate Laos experiences a tropical monsoon climate, with a clearly defined (rainy season) from May through October, a (cool and dry season) from November through February, and a dependable (hot and dry season) March and April. Conditions are humid with daily high temperatures in the mid to low 80° f through the spring and summer months, with cooler temps in the higher elevations of the central and northern mountains. Winter lows below 55° f are uncommon. Mekong River at sunrise, Laos! Travel the World through Poster Art! Traveler Info Attractions Laos, the land of Buddhist temples and a million elephants, is at this time still best visited by using an organized (and safe) tour group. Major attractions include the Plain of Jars, the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, the capital city of Vientiane and the hundreds of colorful rural villages and their close-up opportunities to experience the local cultures of southeast Asia. Luang Prabang Hotels, Tours and Travel Information Vang Vieng Hotels, Tours and Travel Information Vientiane Hotels, Tours and Travel Information Country Dialing Code 856 Electricity Laos uses 230 volts AC (50 Hz) Electrical adapters, products and tips here Travel Warnings here Visa Information here

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This page created by: Patrick Kennedy
Creation date: March 2007
Last update: 18 November 2009
URL: http://www.patricksworldcurrency.com/countries/laos.html