About Us Fact Sheet on Laos
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Fact Sheet on:
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Map

  • Official name : Lao People's Democratic Republic

  • Capital : Vientiane

  • President of Lao PDR: Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith

  • Prime Minister of Lao PDR: Mr. Phankham Viphavanh

  • Form of Government: Communist one party State. Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP is the only party. Unicameral National Assembly (164 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the LPRP for five-year terms.) The last elections were held in February 2021.

  • Geographical location in the continent: Land-locked bordering Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

  • Placement of the country in the map: 19.8563° N, 102.4955° E

  • Total population of that country: 7.4 million/74 lakhs approximately (2020 Estimates)

  • A small note on some prominent quality/specialty of that country:

    • Largely Buddhist country where Hinduism co-existed at one time. Lao language is derived from Pali and Sanskrit. Thus, cultural and linguistic affinity with India.

    • UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phou in Champasak Province in South Laos is an ancient Shiva Temple. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been restoring the monument over the last 10 years and this is a strong bridge between India and Laos.

    • Laos strongly promotes ecological tourism. The UNESCO World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang along with the Plain of Jars in Xiengkhouang Province along with several waterfalls and nature reserves in different parts of the country are good tourist attractions.

    • Lao is rich in mineral wealth and hydro-power potential.

  • Name of major tourist spots:

  1. Wat Phu, Champasak province

  2. Wat Xieng Thong (Luang Prabang’s most magnificent temple)

  3. Si Phan Don (4,000 islands),a riverine archipelago in the

Mekong River, Champasak Province

  1. Plain of Jars, Xieng Khouang Province

  2. Pha That Luang (“Great Stupa in Lao”), Vientiane Capital

  3. Pak Ou Caves, Luang Prabang

  4. Vieng Xai caves, Hua Phan Province

  5. Van Vieng, Vientiane Province

  • Major cities: Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Savannakhet