Laos
Laos is one of the few Communist countries left in the world. Until 1988 tourists were not allowed access to Laos, but the country has now opened up and it is perfectly feasible to travel all over the country, preferably with a recognised tour company. The number of tourists is expected to continue increasing over the next few years. Laos is a landlocked country bordered to the north by China, to the east by Vietnam, to the south by Cambodia, and to the west by Thailand and Myanmar. Apart from the Mekong River plains, along the border of Thailand the country is mountainous, particularly in the north, and in places is densely forested.
General Information
Area: 236,800 sq km
Population: 5.9 million
Capital City: Vientiane.
Currency: Lao kip (LAK)
TimeZone: GMT / UTC +1
Language: Lao (official), French, English and various ethnic
Religion: Hinayana (Theravada) form of Buddhism, Confucianis
Government: People’s Republic
