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Official name:
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Lao People's
Democratic Republic ( Lao PDR.)
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Area :
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236.800
sq.km. (91,430 sq.miles).
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Capital :
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Vientiane Municipality
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Administration:
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16 Provinces, 1
Municipality, 1 Special Region and 141 Districts
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Population :
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6.2 million. (Year 2003)
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Density :
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26.18
inhabitants/sq.km.
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Governmaent:
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People's Supreme Assemly , President of the Repulic,
council of Ministries. 13 Ministries,
3 Ministry equivalent committees
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Location :
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Indochina Peninsula sharing borders with china to the
North, Myanmar to the
North-west, Thailand to
the West, Vietnam to the
East and Cambodia
to the South.
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Ethnic groups:
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Lao 48% ;
Mon-Khmer 25%, tribal Thai 14%,
Sino Tibetan (including the Hmong
and Yao) 13%, Vietnamese and Chinese 1%
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Climate :
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Tropical monsoon with two
main seasons , dry season ( October-April ), rainy season (May-September).
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Language
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Lao
(official), French and English
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Religion
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Buddhism
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Local Time
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GMT
+7
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Currency
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Laotian
kip = 100 cents. Notes of kip 5,000, 2,000, 1000, 500, 100 and 50.
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Business Hours
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Office
hours: 0800-1200 and 1300-1600, Monday to Friday.
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Electricity supply
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220V,
50 Hz
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Exchange
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Banks,
licensed offices, and hotels. Credit cards/traveller's cheques not widely
accepted. Cash US dollars and Thai baht universally accepted. Small denominations
very useful.
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Tipping
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Tipping
is not customary in Laos.
However, small gratuities may be given in appreciation for efficient,
friendly service.
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Nightlife
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Apart
from cultural shows presented at some hotels, there is no established
nightlife catering to tourists.
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Photography
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Basic
supplies are available. Observe normal courtesy when photographing people,
especially monks. Avoid taking photographs at airports and military
locations.
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