• Officially: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Capital: Vientiane

Facts

  • Population: 6.7 million
  • Languages: Lao, French
  • Religion: Buddhism
  • Life expectancy: 65 years (men), 68 years (women)
  • Currency: kip

Geography

  • Area: 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles)
  • Landlocked

Notes

  • Communist State
  • The country remains heavily dependant on foreign aid
  • The government anticipates that by 2025 hydropower will become the country’s biggest source of revenue.

Tourism

  • Consider Vang Vieng
    • Surrounded by limestone mountains, it is an adventurers’ playground
      • bike tours, zip line, cave exploration, and rock climbing

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