Laos
Location: Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand on the West,
Burma and China on the North, North Vietnam on the East,
Kampuchea (Cambodia) on the South
Area: 91,429 square miles
Population: 4,200,000
Government: Marxist people's republic
Largest city: Vientiane (capital)
Languages: Lao, French
Ethnic groups: Lao 48%, Mon-Khmer tribes 25%, Thai 14%, Meo and
Yao 13%
Religions: Buddhist, tribal
Chief industries: Agriculture, forestry, mining
Chief crops: Rice, corn, tobacco, cotton
Mineral: Tin
Leading exports: Tin, coffee, teak
Leading imports: Rice, oil, machinery, fuels
Monetary unit: Kip