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Laos - Travel guideLaos - Country backgroundModern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For three hundred years Lan Xang included large parts of present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997. More about Laos Travel Guide |
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Laos General Information |
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| Country full name : | conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos PDR or Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao |
| Capital : | Vientiane |
| Religions : | Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%) |
| Languages : | Lao (official), French, English |
| Location : | Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam |
| Geographic coordinates : | 18 00 N, 105 00 E |
| Area : | total: 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km |
| Climate : | tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) |
| Population : | 6,368,481 (July 2006 est.) |
| Nationality : | noun: Laotian(s) adjective: Lao |
| Ethnic groups : | Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1% |
| Government type : | Communist state |
| Administrative divisions: | 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang. |
| Legal system : | based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice. |
| Suffrage : | 18 years of age; universal |
| Internet code : | .la |
| Calling code : | +856 |
| Time zone : | GMT/UTC +7 |
| Electricity : | 230V 50Hz |
| National holiday : | Republic Day, 2 December (1975) |
| Interesting link : | Laos Travel Guide |
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Laos Travel Guide Information