Laos

ASEAN Member Country since July 1997

Capital: Vientiane
Head of State: President Choummaly Sayasone
Head of Government: Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh
Language: Lao
Area (sq. km): 236,800
Population: 5,938,800
GDP (USD): 2.77 billion (2006 estimate)

Laos is perhaps Southeast Asia’s most relaxing country to travel in. With no teeming metropolis or aggressive commerce to rush people along, visitors can explore the country at their leisure. In the north, Laos’ rugged terrain of mountains and limestone peaks crossed with rivers means travel will necessarily be slow. In contrast, the south is marked by its flat landscape dotted with coffee plantations and waterfalls. The massive Mekong River separates Laos from its more-developed neighbor Thailand.

After 30 years of the socialist experiment, Lao has vigorously encouraged private enterprise and foreign investment since the 1980s. In conjunction with the IMF and the World Bank, Laos has steadily liberalized its markets and opened itself up to foreign investment. Initiatives like the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge have facilitated trade and commerce between these two nations. As Laos increasingly integrates itself into the international community, economic reforms have encouraged urban development and Laos aims to position itself as a crossroads state between China and Thailand and Vietnam.

Laos’ strongest cultural links are with Thailand, with strong Thai influences in both religion and the arts. Most Lao are Buddhists, and many males choose to be ordained temporarily as monks for periods up to three years. Buddhism continues to interact with Laos’ older traditions such as spirit worship, forming a uniquely Laotian belief system that allows people to acknowledge both their history and more modern influences.

Laos is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Luang Prabang and Wat Phou. Wat Phou is a Khmer temple complex in southern Laos, and was a central place of worship in the Khmer empire dating back to the 11th century. Today, visitors can get a taste of ancient Buddhist history as they explore the temples and shrines in this historical complex.