L a o s

LAOS AT A GLANCE
Official Name :
State of LAO P.D.R. :
Head of State :
Head of Government :
Official Language :
Land Area :
Population :
Currency :
GDP per Capita :
Main Exports :


Main Imports :
Exports :
Imports : 		Lao People's Democratic Republic
People's Democratic State
President Nouhak PHOUMSAVANH
Minister Khamtay SIPHANDONE
Lao
236,800 square kilometres
4,581,128 (1995)
Kip
US$350 (1994-1995)
Electricity, timber and wood products,
garments and texties, coffee, tin,
Petroleum, machinery and raw materials,
vehicles, cement, iron, fabrics
US$209.40 (1994-1995)
US$375.40 (1994-1995)

The Lao People's Democratic Republic is located in South East Asia at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula between latitude 14-23 degrees north and longitude 100108 degrees east.

Laos has an eastern border of 1,957 km with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a western border of 1,730 km with the Kingdom of Thailand, a southern border of 492 km with the Kingdom of Cambodia a northern border of 416 km with the People's Republic of China and a North Western border of 230 km with the Union of Myanmar. Total area of Laos is 236,800 square kilometres, three quarters of which is mountainous and forest-covered 40 % while the country is rich in natural resources, such as mineral deposits, including 1 billion tons of high quality iron are between 60-70%, lead, gold, tin and 8200-8232 calorie/gram coal.

Although the Lao P.D.R. has no direct access to the sea, it has the Mekong River which is the main river of the country flowing north to south. In addition, there are many branch rivers which nourish agriculture. Laos people use it as a power source which supplies hydro-electric of over 18,000 MW from 57 dams.

The Population of the Lao P.D.R. is estimated at 4,581,128 (1995) and population density remains one of the lowest in the region at 19 persons per square kilometre with a population increase rate of 2.64 %. The Lao population is ethnically diverse with up to 68 different ethnic groups identified inhabiting the country, with various languages, cultures and traditions which are classified into three groups: The Lao Loam, who occupy the lowlands plains and the Mekong River valley, and constitute about 56% of the total population; the Lao Thing, who occupy the mountain slopes, comprising about 34% of the population, and the high mountain Lao, constituting about 9% of the total population, and one per cent foreigners.

LAOS VISA REQUIREMENT

- Request for Laos Visa Approval should be emailed to asiatrav@asiatravel.com giving the following informations:
  • Family Name and Giving Name and Sex
  • Nationaltiy
  • Passport Number - Date of Issued & Expiry
  • Date of Birth
  • Occupation
  • Date of Arrival
** It takes another 2 working days to obtain Lao visa aproval

Ater getting the Laos Visa Approval, travellers have to obtain Lao Visa Stamp at the Lao Embassy in their own country or in Bangkok with the following documents:
  • 2 Visa Application Form (Photocopy accepted)
  • 2 photos
  • Original Passport
**It takes another 2 working days to obtain Lao visa stamp

FOR TRAVELLERS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN LAO VISA ONLY

  • The Arrangement fees is US$95

HOW TO REACH LAO PDR

One can arrive in Vientiane either by air or by land
  • BY AIR - From Bangkok, Hanoi or Phnompenh to Vientiane
  • BY TRAIN - From Bangkok to Nongkai
**Train from Bangkok to Nongkai travels at night berth. Upon arrival at Nongkai in the morning, you will have to take taxi or rickshaw to Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and cross the border. The guide will wait for you after Lao Immigration to transfer you to Vientiane.

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