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Now, after two
decades of isolation from the outside world, this landlocked, sparsely
populated country is enjoying peace, stabilizing its political and
economic structures and admitting foreign visitors - albeit in limited
numbers due to a general lack of infrastructure.
The lack of foreign influence offers travelers an unparalleled glimpse of traditional South-East Asian life.
From the fertile lowlands of the Mekong River valley to the rugged
Annamite highlands, travelers who have made it to Laos tend to agree
that this country is the highlight of South-East Asia.
Laos has an eastern border of 1,957 km
with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a western border of 1,730 km
with the Kingdom of Thailand, a southern border of 492 km with the
Kingdom of Cambodia a northern border of 416 km with the People's
Republic of China and a North Western border of 230 km with the Union of
Myanmar. Total area of Laos is 236,800 square kilometers, three quarters
of which is mountainous and forest-covered 40 % while the country is
rich in natural resources, such as mineral deposits, including 1 billion
tons of high quality iron are between 60-70%, lead, gold, tin and
8200-8232 calorie/gram coal.
Although the Lao P.D.R. has no direct
access to the sea, it has the Mekong River which is the main river of
the country flowing north to south. In addition, there are many branch
rivers which nourish agriculture. Laos people use it as a power source
which supplies hydro-electric of over 18,000 MW from 57 dams.
The Population of the Lao P.D.R. is
estimated at 4,581,128 (1995) and population density remains one of the
lowest in the region at 19 persons per square kilometer with a
population increase rate of 2.64 %. The Lao population is ethnically
diverse with up to 68 different ethnic groups identified inhabiting the
country, with various languages, cultures and traditions which are
classified into three groups: The Lao Loam, who occupy the lowlands
plains and the Mekong River valley, and constitute about 56% of the
total population; the Lao Thing, who occupy the mountain slopes,
comprising about 34% of the population, and the high mountain Lao,
constituting about 9% of the total population, and one per cent
foreigners.
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