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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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