Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 199,951 sq km country comparison to the world: 86 land: 191,801 sq km
water: 8,150 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 3,051 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain:
peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources:
abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use:
arable land: 6.55%
permanent crops: 0.28%
other: 93.17%
note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005)
Irrigated land:
10,720 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
46.5 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%)
per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
People ::Kyrgyzstan
Population:
5,508,626 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.7% (male 822,128/female 789,425)
15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,717,497/female 1,787,551)
65 years and over: 5.8% (male 123,045/female 192,101) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.7 years
male: 23.8 years
female: 25.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.414% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Birth rate:
23.58 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Death rate:
6.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Net migration rate:
-2.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Urbanization:
urban population: 36% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.053 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 30.25 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 73 male: 35.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.74 years country comparison to the world: 147 male: 65.74 years
female: 73.94 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.64 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
4,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Nationality:
noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups:
Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%,Uighur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
Religions:
Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages:
Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official),Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.7%
male: 99.3%
female: 98.1% (1999 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 29
Government ::Kyrgyzstan
Country name:
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: Kyrgyzstan
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Bishkek
geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar);Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-AbadOblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty(Karakol)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence:
31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
Constitution:
27 June 2010
Legal system:
based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Roza OTUNBAEVA (since 19 May 2010); note - OTUNBAEVA became acting president on 7 April 2010 following the early April 2010 riots that overthrew President Kurmanbek BAKIEV; she was appointed president through 31 December 2011 by a 19 May 2010 decree of the provisional government, which also prohibited her from running in the next presidential election; she was officially sworn in on 3 July 2010
head of government: Prime Minister Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 17 December 2010); First Deputy Prime Minister - Omurbek BABANOV (since 17 December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers - Shamil ATAKHANOV, Ibragim JUNUSOV, Jantoro SATYBALDIEV (since 17 December 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, are appointed solely by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 23 July 2009 (next scheduled for 2011); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will form a coalition majority and government
election results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAEV 8.4%, Temir SARIEV 6.7%, other candidates 8.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 10 October 2007 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ata-Jurt 28, SDPK 26, Ar-Namys 25, Respublika 23, Ata-Meken 18
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jogorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years)
Political parties and leaders:
Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]; Ata-Jurt (Homeland)[Kamchybek TASHIEV, Akhmat KELDIBEKOV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland)[Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [AdakhanMADUMAROV, Miroslav NIYAZOV]; Respublika [Omurbek BABANOV];Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy andCivil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA]
International organization participation:
ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC,OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS,UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mukhtar JUMALIEV
chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana GFOELLER
embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217
Flag description:
red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth
National anthem:
name: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic)
lyrics/music: Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV
note: adopted 1992
Economy ::Kyrgyzstan
Economy - overview:
Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. The economy depends heavily on gold exports - mainly from output at the Kumtor gold mine. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and exports began to increase. In 2005, the BAKIEV government and international financial institutions initiated a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Bishkek agreed to pursue much needed tax reform and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007-08. GDP grew about 8% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but slowed to 2.3% in 2009. The overthrow of President BAKIEV in April, 2010 and subsequent ethnic clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Shrinking trade and agricultural production, as well as political instability, caused GDP to contract about 3.5% in 2010. The fiscal deficit widened to 12% of GDP, reflecting significant increases in crisis-related spending, including both rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and bank recapitalization. Progress in reconstruction, fighting corruption, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment are key to future growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.85 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $12.28 billion (2009 est.)
$12 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.444 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-3.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 2.3% (2009 est.)
8.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $2,300 (2009 est.)
$2,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 24.6%
industry: 25%
services: 50.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.344 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 111
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 48%
industry: 12.5%
services: 39.5% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
18% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Population below poverty line:
40% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.3 (2003) country comparison to the world: 111 29 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
26.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 6.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
9.07% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 18 15.11% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
23.03% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 19.86% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$714.9 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 148 $826.4 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$1.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $1.247 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$505.4 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $572.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$71.84 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 112 $93.79 million (31 December 2008)
$121 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Industries:
small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
Industrial production growth rate:
6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - production:
15.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - consumption:
9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - exports:
2.379 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
979 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Oil - exports:
1,890 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - imports:
12,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - proved reserves:
40 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - production:
30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Natural gas - consumption:
750 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - imports:
720 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Current account balance:
-$210 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $184 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.682 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $1.726 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports - partners:
Switzerland 25.96%, Russia 25.88%, Uzbekistan 15.72%, Kazakhstan 12.47% (2009)
Imports:
$3.075 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $2.987 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
China 57.03%, Russia 19.34%, Kazakhstan 5.9% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.615 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $1.585 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.738 billion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 119 $3.467 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
soms (KGS) per US dollar - 46.337 (2010), 42.905 (2009), 36.108 (2008), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006)
Communications ::Kyrgyzstan
Telephones - main lines in use:
498,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 97
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.487 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 100
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links
domestic: fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeded 80 per 100 persons in 2009
international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line
Broadcast media:
state-run television broadcaster operates 2 nationwide networks and 6 regional stations; roughly 20 private TV stations operating with most rebroadcasting other channels; state-run radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; about 20 private radio stations operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.kg
Internet hosts:
97,976 (2010) country comparison to the world: 78
Internet users:
2.195 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 74
Transportation ::Kyrgyzstan
Airports:
28 (2010) country comparison to the world: 119
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 470 km country comparison to the world: 115 broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 18,500 km country comparison to the world: 115 paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,591 km (2003)
Waterways:
600 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 79
Ports and terminals:
Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Military ::Kyrgyzstan
Military branches:
Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), NationalGuard (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory male military service in the armed forces or Interior Ministry; service obligation 1 year; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,439,750
females age 16-49: 1,455,806 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,101,709
females age 16-49: 1,243,904 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 56,269
female: 54,004 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 162
Transnational Issues ::Kyrgyzstan
Disputes - international:
Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas
Illicit drugs:
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Laos (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Laos
Background:
Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1988. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997. In late 2009, Thailand returned to Laos about 3,000 Hmong residing in refugee camps.
Geography ::Laos
Location:
Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 236,800 sq km country comparison to the world: 83 land: 230,800 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:
total: 5,083 km
border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain:
mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use:
arable land: 4.01%
permanent crops: 0.34%
other: 95.65% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,750 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
333.6 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3 cu km/yr (4%/6%/90%)
per capita: 507 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
floods, droughts
Environment - current issues:
unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
People ::Laos
Population:
6,368,162 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,399,674/female 1,386,526)
15-64 years: 56.2% (male 1,900,638/female 1,938,165)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 90,144/female 119,198) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.7 years
male: 20.4 years
female: 21 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.712% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Birth rate:
26.57 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Death rate:
8.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Net migration rate:
-1.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 160
Urbanization:
urban population: 31% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 61.19 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 35 male: 67.36 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 54.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62 years country comparison to the world: 181 male: 60.14 years
female: 63.94 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.22 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
5,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic groups:
Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26% (2005 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5% (2005 census)
Languages:
Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 73%
male: 83%
female: 63% (2005 Census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 164
Government ::Laos
Country name:
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form: Laos
local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form: Pathet Lao (unofficial)
Government type:
Communist state
Capital:
name: Vientiane (Viangchan)
geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Independence:
19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Constitution:
promulgated 14 August 1991; amended in 2003
Legal system:
based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006); Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister THONGSING Thammavong (since 24December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (sinceMay 2002), Lt. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit (since 8 June 2006), SOMSAVATLengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 27March 2001)
cabinet: Ministers appointed by president, approved by National Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected by National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held on 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for five-year term
election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 30 on April 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2
Judicial branch:
People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Courtis elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of theNational Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of thePeople's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the NationalAssembly Standing Committee)
Political parties and leaders:
Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALI Saignason]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU,MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador SENG Soukhathivong
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Karen B. STEWART
embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam, Vientiane
mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, APO AP 96546
telephone: [856] 21-26-7000
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band; the red bands recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people under the Pathet Lao, as well as the country's bright future
National anthem:
name: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)
lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy
Economy ::Laos
Economy - overview:
The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% per year from 1988-2008 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has a rudimentary, but improving, road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in urban areas and in many rural districts. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice cultivation in lowland areas, accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The government in FY08/09 received $560 million from international donors. Economic growth has reduced official poverty rates from 46% in 1992 to 26% in 2009. The economy has benefited from high foreign investment in hydropower, mining, and construction. Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004, and is taking steps required to join the World Trade Organization, such as reforming import licensing. Related trade policy reforms will improve the business environment. On the fiscal side, Laos launched an effort to ensure the collection of taxes in 2009 as the global economic slowdown reduced revenues from mining projects. Simplified investment procedures and expanded bank credits for small farmers and small entrepreneurs will improve Lao's economic prospects. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among investors. The World Bank has declared that Laos's goal of graduating from the UN Development Program's list of least-developed countries by 2020 is achievable. According Laotian officials, the 7th Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2011-15 will outline efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$15.42 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $14.41 billion (2009 est.)
$13.53 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.341 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 6.5% (2009 est.)
7.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $2,300 (2009 est.)
$2,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 29.8%
industry: 31.7%
services: 38.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.65 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80%
industry and services: 20% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 2.4% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
26% (2009 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28.5% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34.6 (2002) country comparison to the world: 88 37 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 0% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.3% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 108 4% (31 December 2009)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
26% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 83 11% (30 November 2009)
Stock of narrow money:
$630 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 150 $691.1 million (31 December 2009)
Stock of broad money:
$1.818 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.549 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.562 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.095 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Agriculture - products:
sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Industries:
copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
12% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - production:
1.656 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - consumption:
1.798 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - exports:
230 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
819.5 million kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - consumption:
3,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Oil - imports:
3,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - proved reserves:
NA bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Current account balance:
-$23 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 -$356 million (2009 est.)