Location: Asia
Status: UN Country
Capital City: Vientiane
Main Cities: Luang Prebang
Population: 4,743,000
Area: 236,800 km2
Currency: 1 kip = 100 at
Languages: Lao
Religions: Buddhist
More about Laos: a republic in SE Asia: first united as the kingdom of Lan Xang ("million elephants") in 1353, after being a province of the Khmer Empire for about four centuries; made part of French Indochina in 1893 and gained independence in 1949; became a republic in 1975. It is generally forested and mountainous, with the Mekong River running almost the whole length of the W border. Official language: Laotian. Religion: Buddhist majority, tribal religions. Currency: kip. Capital: Vientiane. Pop.: 5 787 000 (2004 est.). Area: 236 800 sq. km (91 429 sq. miles) Official name: People's Democratic Republic of Laos