South-East Asia.

GMT + 7.

236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles).

5.9 million (UN, 2005).

24.92 per sq km (2002).

Vientiane. Population: 663,000 (UN estimate 2001).

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.

Laos has a 166-member legislature, the Sapha Heng Xat (National Assembly), members of which are elected for five-year terms and must (with a single exception) belong to the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. The assembly elects an executive president, also for a five-year term. The president appoints a prime minister and council of ministers.

People’s Republic since 1975. Gained independence from France in 1953. Head of State: Khamtai Siphandon since 1998. Head of Government: Prime Minister Boungnang Volachit since 2001.

The official language is Lao, however, many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and some English are in circulation.

The Laos-Lum (Valley Laos) people follow the Hinayana (Theravada) form of Buddhism. The religions of the Laos-Theung (Laos of the mountain tops) range from traditional Confucianism to animism and Christianity.

Religious beliefs should be respected. Lao people should not be touched on the head. Handshaking is not that usual; Lao people greet each other with their palms together and a slight bowing of the head. Take care when discussing politics and related subjects in conversation so as not to cause offence. Shorts or revealing clothes are not always acceptable. It is illegal not to carry an ID document or a passport, and fines for not having one for presentation on demand can be high. The Lao Government prohibits sexual relationships, including sexual contact between foreign citizens and Lao nationals, except when the two parties have been married in accordance with Lao family law. Penalties for failing to register a relationship range from fines to imprisonment.

230 volts AC, 50Hz.