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Brief History. Inhabited by the Lao and Hmong peoples and long dominated by its stronger neighbors (Thailand and Vietnam), Laos was made a protectorate of France in 1893. It was not until 1949 that France granted Laos local autonomy. With France's withdrawal from Indochina in 1954, Laos became independent. As the war in Vietnam raged, Laos faced challenges from within: the Laotian Communist Party. In 1975, the Pathet Lao took control of the capital and declared the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Many Laotians fled to Thailand in the aftermath of the communist take-over. Vietnam has played a significant role in Laos, with troops stationed in the country. The first election was not held until 1989 and a new constitution was confirmed in 1991.

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Country Information

Local name: Lao

Capital: Vientiane

Population: 6,368,481

Government: Communist state

Currency: kip (LAK)

Land size: 236,800 sq km

Topography: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Typical foods: larb

Major exports: garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin

Information on the People

Official language: Lao

Other languages spoken: French, English, and various ethnic languages

Religions: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)

Literacy rate: 66.4%

Male/Female Ratio: 0.98 male(s) to every 1 female

Life expectancy: 55.49 years

Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%

Internet users: 20,900

Famous people:

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