LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC- FACTS AND FIGURES

Area: 236,800 km2

Population: 4,743,000 (1994)

Population Growth: 2.9%

Capital: Vientiane

System of Government: Unitary single-party people's republic with one legislative house (National Assembly- 85 members)

Head of State: President Nouhak Phoumsavanh

Prime Minister: Khamtay Siphandone

Key Government Ministers: Mr. Somsavat Lengsavat, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Saisomphon Phomvihan, Minister of Finance; Sompadith Vorasane, Minister of Trade and Tourism.

Language: Lao (official), French and English.

Literacy Rate: 83.9% (estimate, 1985 among pop, aged 15-45 years)

Ethnic Background: Buddhist, 33.6% tribal religions, 1.8% Christian

Currency: C$ 1.00 = 674.73 kip (as of December 19, 1995)

For more information on Laos, visit these websites:

Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Washington, DC)

Lao Info and Education Links

Popular customs in Lao PDR

• Though it is common to shake hands with Westerners, it is customary when greeting someone, to put your hands together at chest level as though they praying. This is called the Nop. One may also bow to show great respect for the person they're greeting.
• The head is considered the most sacred part of the body, while the soles of the feet are the lowest. One should never touch the top of their head or point at anything with their feet.
• Men and women should not show affection in public.
• If food, especially fruit or tea is offered to you, you should'nt refuse it, and must at least take a taste.
• It is customary to remove ones shoes when entering a home or temple. Sitting on the floor is also common custom.