Laos
May 26, 2011 | Posted by Owner | Filed under Laos, Country Information 

Laos
Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity And Prosperity 

General
Population: 6,477,211 (2011)
Land Area: 236,800 sq km
Natural Resources: Timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Capital: Vientianea
Political System: Communist state
State Leader: Lt. Gen. Choummali Saignason (2006)
Head of Government: Thongsing Thammavong (2010)
Languages: Lao, French, English, Ethnic languages
Currency: Kip (LAK)
Major Religions: Buddhist 65%, Animist 32.9%, Christian 1.3%, Other And Unspecified 0.8%
Major Ethnicities: Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, Other 26%
Life Expectancy: 62.39 years (2011) 

Economy
GDP Official Exchange Rate: 6.341 billion (2010)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity: 15.68 billion (2010)
GDP Per Capita (PPP) : 2,400 (2010)
GDP Growth Rate: 7.8% (2010)
GDP Structure: Agriculture 29.8%, Industry 31.7%, Services 38.5% (2010)
Labour Force By Occupation: Agriculture 75.1%, Industry and Services NA (2010)
Industries: Copper, tin, gold, gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement
Agriculture Products: Sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Human Development Index: 0.497 (122th) 
Tourism Revenue: 113 million (2002)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5% (2009)

Military
Army Size: 29 100 (2004)
Budget: 0.5% of GDP (2006)

Current Situation
Laos is located in Southeast Asia. Laos is bordered by Burma, Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Laos' infrastructure is severely lacking, with little railway, and only a few major roads. Agriculture is the biggest employer in Laos, most of which consists of survival agriculture. A high growth rate might mean better times are ahead for Laos, and also a growing tourism industry and trade with China will also help going forward. 

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Sources :
CIA World Factbook: Laos 
Wikipedia: Laos
http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/LAO.html