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> Lao Peoples Democratic Republic [Laos]
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General Information
Area: 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles).
Population: 5,297,000 (UN estimate 1999).
Population Density: 22.5 per sq km (1999).
Capital: Vientiane. Population: 555,100 (1997).
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: Khamtai Siphandon since 1998. Head of Government: Prime Minister Boungnang Volachit since 2001.
Language: The official language is Lao, however many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and some English are also spoken.
Religion: 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.
Time: GMT + 7.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications:
Telephone
Restricted IDD available. Country code: 856. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network operator in the area is Lao Shinawatra (website: www.laotel.com). No widespread coverage as yet, although access to the Thai mobile telephone system may be possible in Vientiane and border regions.
Fax
Facilities may be available in large hotels in urban areas.
Internet
Internet cafes are located in the major towns.
Press
English-language dailies in Laos include the Vientiane Times.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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