Laos was historically part of the Lan Xang Kingdom (14th–18th centuries) before coming under French colonial rule in the 19th century. It gained independence in 1953 but experienced civil war, leading to the establishment of a communist government in 1975. Laos remains a landlocked nation reliant on agriculture and hydropower, with growing economic ties to neighboring China and Thailand.
Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by China to the north, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, Thailand to the west, and Myanmar to the northwest. Covering an area of approximately 236,800 square kilometers, it has a population of about 7.5 million people as of 2024. The capital and largest city is Vientiane. The official language is Lao. Laos operates as a socialist republic under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The economy is one of the fastest-growing in the region, with key sectors including agriculture, hydropower, mining, and tourism. Laos is known for its mountainous terrain, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage, including Buddhist monasteries and temples. The country is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the World Trade Organization.
