SYNOPSIS

Official Name
(in Lao) Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
(in Eng.) Lao People's Democratic Republic
(in French) Republique Democratique Populaire Lao

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Lao (or Laotian)

OTHER LANGUAGES
As different generations came into contact with foreign powers many of them were able to speak French, Russian and English; and even German, Bulgarian, Japanese.  Other languages spoken in Laos include variations from the outer rural and mountainous areas including the Hmong/Meo, as well as, those from immigrants such as Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.  It should be noted that while visiting in Laos it would be prudent to bring a vocabulary or dictionary book to be able to speak Lao.  Do not expect the locals to be able to speak your foreign language.

GEOGRAPHY
Laos occupies the northwestern portion of the Southeast Asian peninsula.  Laos is a landlock country that is neighboured by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma.  This makes Laos a very strategically positioned country.  But it is also at a disadvantage because it has no major ports for trade; for this it relies on its ties with Vietnam and their ports.  Laos is heavily forested and mountainous and has mountain peeks as high as 9000 feet.  The soil, weather and temperature yield agricultural advantages.  The Mekong River runs through Laos spanning 1,500 km.

Total Area: 236,800 square kilometers; stretching more than 1,700 km from north to south and between 100 to 400 km from   east to west.
Coordinates:    14° and 20° N latitude and 100° and 108° W longitude.

MAJOR CITIES
Vientiane (pronounced Viengchaun) is the capital city with a population of 160,000.  Another important city which also used to be the former royal capital is Luangphrabang.  These two cities are considered the more urban and highly visited cities in the country. They are also main hubs for economic activities.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS
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LAO LANGUAGE
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EVENTS & SPECIAL HOLIDAYS
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RELIGION
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ARCHITECTURE
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LITERATURE & ART
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ECONOMY

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GOVERNMENT (info. as of 1999)
Methodology/Ideology:  Communist
President of the Lao PDR (Head of State):   Mr. Khamtay Siphandone
President of the National Assembly:    Mr. Samane Vignaket
Vice-Presidents of the Nat'l Assembly:   Mr. Sisavath Keobounphanh, Mr. Vongphet Xaykeuyachongtoua, Mrs. Onechanh Thammavong
Prime Minister:  Mr. Sisavath Keobounphanh
President of the People's Supreme Court:  Mr. Thonay Inthaphom
Public Prosecutor-General:  Mr. Khampan Philavong
In addition there are 19 more ministers ranging from the minister of public health to the minister of interior and so fourth.

Important NOTES

• Lao PDR was established on December 2 1975 after heavy civil war.  Since then the monarchy was abolished and a republic created in its place with a communist regime
• Laos adopted a constitution in 1991.
• Most recent elections was in 1997 with 99 seats up for grabs.
• Nat'l Assembly is supported by a secretariat and a headquarter's staff of 55.  Additionally, provincial capitals have an office with a small staff headed by 1-3 permanently based elected members.
• There are 2 sessions of the assembly per year which lasts two weeks.  In the periods between meetings the standing committee, chaired by the President of the Nat'l Assembly, oversee general matters that it is designed to deal with.
• Laos has one of the highest ratio of woman in parliament in Asia with 21% of seats going to women members.
• At the provincial level, governors and district chiefs are appointed by Cabinet.  In villages, chiefs are elected by their communities for 5 year terms.

POPULATION
Population:  5.2 million (avg. growth rate is 2.5%)
Moreover it is important to note that there is a considerable amount of Lao people living outside of Laos although the exact figures are not known.
Population Density:  19 people per square kilometer (one of the lowest in Asia)
Population characteristics:  Lao Lum (low landers), Lao Theung and Lao Soung (those that live in the mountainous areas), Thai, Chinese, Hmong, Vietnamese, and some West Asian people such as Indian and Pakistani. 

UNDP Population Social Data (1999; data taken from 1997 and 1994)

• Life Expectancy:  53.2 years
• Infant Mortality Rate:  99 (per 1000 live births)
• Under 5 Mortality Rate:  122 (per 1000 live births)
• Maternal Mortality Rate:  650 (per 100,000 births)
• Fertility Rate:  5.6 (children for each woman)
• People Not Expected to Survive Age 60:  45% of pop.
• Infant Immunisation coverage:  DTP 3, 54%; Measles, 67%
• Access to Safe Drinking Water: 58.6%
• Access to Health Services:  67%
• Underweight Children Under 5:  40%
• Adult Literarcy (15y.o. or older):  58.6%
• Women  48%
• Men  62%

HISTORY
(currently under construction)