Laos

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Lao People's Democratic Republic Sathalanalat Pasathipatai Pasason Lao
Official flag Official Coat of Arms
National information
National motto:	Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity
National anthem:	"Pheng Xat Lao"
About the people
Official languages:	Lao
Population: (# of people)	Total: 6,217,141 (ranked #101) Density: 24 per km²
Geography / Places
Here is the country on a map of the world.
Capital city:	Vientiane
Largest city:	Vientiane
Area	Total: 236,800 (ranked #80) Water: n/a km² (2%)
Politics / Government
Established:	July 19, 1949
Leaders:	President: Khamtai Siphandon Prime Minister: Boungnang Vorachith
Economy / Money
Currency: (Name of money)	Kip
International information
Time zone:	+7
Telephone dialing code:	856
Internet domain:	.la

Lao People's Democratic Republic, or Laos for short, is a small country situated in southeast Asia. The capital of Laos is Vientiane.

Laos is landlocked (it does not have a coast on a sea or ocean). It is bordered by Myanmar (used to be known in English as "Burma") and by China to the northwest, by Vietnam to the east, by Cambodia to the south, and by Thailand to the west. The Mekong river forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand. Boats from Laos can get to the ocean using the Mekong.

Laos had a long history before becoming a French colony. In 1949 it became independent from France, as the Kingdom of Laos. Later there was a civil war, and in 1975 it became a republic under control of the communist party.

The official language is Lao, a language belonging to the Tai language group. Most Lao people believe in Buddhism. The main crop in Laos is rice.

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Laos