Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Country Name: conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form: Laos
local short form: none
local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

Nationality: noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
adjective: Lao or Laotian

Capital: Vientiane

Flag Description: The flag of Laos consists of three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band. The color red represents the blood shed in the fight for freedom. The white disk on the blue band portrays the full moon over the Mekong river while also symbolizing unity under Communist rule and the bright future of the country. (http://flagspot.net/flags/la.html)

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,
Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan,
Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Independence: July 19, 1949 (from France)

Language: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

Ethnic Groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%

Religion: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)

Population: 5,777,180 (July 2002 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 2.47% (2002 est.)
Age Structure: 0-14 years: 42.5% (male 1,233,659; female 1,219,872)
15-64 years: 54.2% (male 1,543,246; female 1,591,419)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 86,375; female 102,609) (2002 est.)
Life Expectancy: male: 52 years; female: 56 years (2002 est.)
Literacy rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57%; male: 70%; female: 44% (1995 est.)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $9.2 billion (2001 est.)

Currency: kip (LAK; 9,467LAK=1USD)

Area: 91,429 sq. miles (slightly larger than Utah)

Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)

Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Natural Resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones