5 November 2012 Last updated at 12:05 ET

Laos profile

Farmer in a rice field near Luang Prabang Most of the arable land is used to grow rice
  • Full name: Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Population: 6.4 million (UN, 2012)
  • Capital: Vientiane
  • Area: 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles)
  • Major languages: Lao, French (for diplomatic purposes)
  • Major religion: Buddhism
  • Life expectancy: 66 years (men), 69 years (women) (UN)
  • Monetary unit: 1 new kip = 100 ath
  • Main exports: Clothing, timber products, coffee, gold, copper, electricity
  • GNI per capita: US $1,130 (World Bank, 2011)
  • Internet domain: .la
  • International dialling code: +856

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