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Location
South-East Asia.
Time
GMT + 7.
Area
236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles).
Population
6.3 million (2006).
Population Density
26.6 per sq km.
Capital
Vientiane. Population: 700,000 (2005 estimate).
Geography
Laos is a landlocked country bordered to the north by China, to the east by Vietnam, to the south by Cambodia, and to the west by Thailand and Myanmar. Apart from the Mekong River plains, along the border of Thailand the country is mountainous, particularly in the north, and in places is densely forested.
Government
People’s Republic since 1975. Gained independence from France in 1953.
Head of State
Choummaly Sayasone since June 2006.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh since June 2006.
Language
The official language is Lao, however, many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and some English are spoken.
Religion
The majority of the Lao people are Buddhists. The Laos-Lum (Valley Laos) people follow the Hinayana (Theravada) form of Buddhism. The religions of the Laos-Theung (Laos of the mountain tops) range from traditional Confucianism to animism and Christianity.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Social Conventions
Religious beliefs should be respected. Lao people should not be touched on the head. Handshaking is not that usual; Lao people greet each other with their palms together and a slight bowing of the head. Take care when discussing politics and related subjects in conversation so as not to cause offence. Shorts or revealing clothes are not always acceptable. It is a legal requirment to carry an ID document or a passport, and fines for not having one for presentation on demand can be high. The Lao government prohibits sexual relationships, including sexual contact between foreign citizens and Lao nationals, except when the two parties have been married in accordance with Lao family law. Penalties for failing to register a relationship range from fines to imprisonment.