General information

Laos is one of the least developed countries and the most enigmatic of the three former French colonies.
Colonial domination, various conflicts with neighboring countries and socialist dogma brought the country to its knees in the 70s, this has pushed approximately 10% of the population into exile.
After two decades of decline on himself , Laos now enjoys stable political and economic structures and opens its borders to foreign tourists, however, the state limits the number of tourists due to lack of infrastructure. Many travelers think that Laos is the most interesting Asian southeast country, perhaps this is due to the fact that Laos remains a country where the tradition remains.

• Official Name: Lao PDR
• Area: 236 800 km ²
• Population: 6.2 million (including different ethnicities)
• Density : 18 people per km ²
• Capital: Vientiane
• Major cities: Vientiane , Luang Prabang , Savannakhet
• Official Language: Laos
• Religion (s): Buddhist ( 65%), Animist (33 %), other (2%: Catholics and Muslims )
• Government: Socialist Republic
• President: Choummaly SAYASONE (since 08.06.06 )
• Prime Minister: Mr Thongsing Thammavong (since 2010)
• GDP: U.S. $ 2.4 billion
• GDP on average per inhabitant per year: U.S. $ 360
• Currency: Kip ( U.S. Dollars and Thai Bath are also accepted )
• Main products / industries: rice, tobacco, coffee, tin mining , timber and opium
• Major trading partners: Thailand, Vietnam , Malaysia and Japan