NAM COUNTRY: LAO PEOPLE DR

LAOS
Introduction

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 Laos has struggled to find its position within a changing political and economic landscape. It is one of east Asia's poorest countries and is dependent on foreign aid. Thailand is the largest foreign investor in Laos. Whilst this support is badly needed, the dangers of exposing Laos's fragile economy to world trends are clear. The Asian currency crisis of 1997 caused the national currency, the kip, to lose more than nine-tenths of its value against the US dollar. Less than 5% of the land is suitable for subsistence agriculture, which nevertheless provides around 80% of employment. The main crop is rice, which is grown on the fertile floodplain of the Mekong River. Vegetables, fruit, spices and cotton are also grown. Outside the capital, many people live without electricity or access to basic facilities. But Laos is banking on the anticipated returns from a billion-dollar dam scheme, intended to generate electricity for export to Thailand, to boost its economy and infrastructure. Laos ethnic minority, the Hmong has been fighting a low-level rebellion against the communist regime since 1975.

Geography
The People’s Democratic Republic of Lao is in the heart of the Indochina peninsular in Southeast Asia and shares border with China to the north, Cambodia to the south, Vietnam to the east, Thailand to the west and Myanmar to the northwest. For centuries known by outsiders as the land of a million Elephants. Lao is a landlocked country and covered by high mountainous ranges but crises-crossed by many rivers and stream. The Mekong River flows through 1865 km of the country from north to south. And this inland waterway system provides great potential for hydropower development. Over half of the power potential in the lower Makong basin is contained with in Lao. With an area of some 236800 square kilometers, three-quarter of which is mountains and plateaus. The population of Lao PDR has reached 5,218,000. About 85% of the population are rural dwellers and the 1999 census revealed that there were 60.000 more women than men. The average population density is 21 per square kilometer and the lowest population density is in Saysomboun Special Zone at 8 per square kilometer while the highest population in Laos is in Vientiane municipality, with 149 per square kilometer.


History

Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang, founded in the 14th century, which lasted until the 18th century, when Siam assumed control of the separate principalities that remained. To avoid a costly war with the French, the Siamese king ceded lands now known as Laos to them, and these were incorporated into French Indochina in 1893. Following a brief Japanese occupation during World War II, the country declared its independence in 1945, but the French re-asserted their control and only in 1950 was Laos granted semi-autonomy as an "associated state" within the French Union. Moreover, the French remained in de facto control until 1954, when Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy. Political unrest in neighbouring Vietnam dragged Laos into the WWI. The North Vietnamese Army, the real power behind the Pathet Lao insurgency, invaded and occupied portions of eastern Laos. Aerial bombardment by the United States in an attempt to eliminate North Vietnamese bases in Laos. In 1975 the communist Pathet Lao, backed by the Soviet Union and the North Vietnamese, overthrew the royalist government, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate on in, 1975. After taking control of the country, they renamed it the Lao People's Democratic Republic. In 1997 Laos became an ASEAN member. Vietnam still wields political and economic influence in Laos.



President Choummaly Sayasone
Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh

Quick Facts

Official Name

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Location

Land-locked in the heart of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia, the Lao PDR is bounded by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma.The country is known by outsiders as the “land of a million elephants”

Capital

Vientiane

Population

5.5 million

Ethnicity

There are 49 ethnic groups, the larger ones include the Lao-Thai, the Mone-Khmer and the Hmong-loumien

Religion

Predominantly (65 per cent) Buddhist.

Languages
Lao is the national language. In Vientiane French, English, Chinese and Vietnamese are widely spoken.
National Holiday

July 19 (1949 independence from France)
Government

One-party republic (Communist )

Head of State
President Choummaly Sayasone
Head of Government
 Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh
Legal System
 based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice.
Currency
 Currency – Lao Kip. US$1=10,030 Kip (June 2006)
GDP
 
Major sectors
Agriculture (50 per cent of GDP), garment manufacturing and food processing.
Trading partners
The Lao PDR is a net importer and mainly trades with countries in the region. Main trading partners include Vietnam, Thailand, France, China, Singapore and Japan.




THAT LUANG, a large Stupa on a hill in the Northeast of Vientiane, is one of the most important religious sites in Laos. Legends claim that in the 3rd century, emissaries of the Indian Emperor Asoka had built a Stupa here, containing a relic of the Buddha. The present Stupa was constructed during the reign of King Setthathirat, in 1566. However, it was several times damaged or destroyed, then reconstructed.

ANOUSAVARI MONUMENT in Vientiane was built after World War II but before the takeover of the communists, in commemoration of the fallen Lao soldiers in