LAOS
(Lao People's Democratic Republic)

Capital: Vientiane
Currency: Lao of piles (LAK)
Population: 6 758 353 persons.
GDP (PPS): 54 bln. dollars of the USA (2018)
Area: 237 955 sq.km.
IRCHP: 138 (2015)

HISTORY

Laos as the state originates in the 14th century when the country was called Lang Sangg Whom Khao ("The country of one million elephants and a white umbrella"). Monsky and Khmer tribes occupied Laos and formed the states before invasion from the North of tribes conceal also Lao which were forced out on the South from the Southern China by Mongols. Since the 12th century in Laos the Thai states (myang) occupied by tribes are formed conceal also Lao. Since the 14th century in the territory of modern Laos the state Lansang from which it is accepted to count history of Laos was formed. From now on there is a division of tribes conceal also Lao; concerning identification of tribes of Lao disputes between the Thai and Laotian historians are conducted.

GEOGRAPHY

Laos has no outlet to the sea. The territory of Laos is covered with the dense woods, the landscape consists of low hills and mountains; a point with the greatest height — Bia (2830 m). The Mekong River flows on border of Laos with Thailand and Myanmar, the border with Vietnam is divided Mount Chyongshon. Laos — mainly the highland.
The climate is subequatorial monsoonal, it is characterized by division of year into two seasons — the summer rainy period of monsoons from May to October and the winter dry period from November to April.
There are no very large cities in Laos, except the capital of Vientiane. Other rather big cities — Luang Prabang (50 thousand), Savannakhet (since 2005 — Cason Fomvikhan) (70 thousand) and Pakse (90 thousand inhabitants).

TRANSPORT

In 1983 in Laos the extent of roads was 11125 km (with an asphalt covering — 766 km). By 2005 in the country length of roads was 31205 km (including with an asphalt covering of 4500 km). All provincial centers have an exit to the main highways. The Laotian roads are constructed with assistance of ASEAN and joined to roads of China and Vietnam. Through Mekong in the 1990th — the 2000th years are constructed three bridges connecting Laos and Thailand. In 2008 from Thailand the first in LNDR railroad 3,5 km long was started up in Laos.