Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao Lao People's Democratic Republic
Flag Coat of arms Anthem: Pheng Xat Lao
Capital (and largest city) Vientiane 17?8′N, 102?6′E Official languages Lao Demonym Laotian, Lao Government Socialist Republic  -  President Lt. Gen. Choummaly Sayasone  -  Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh Independencee from France   -  Date 19 July 1949  Area  -  Total 236,800 km?/a> (83rd) 91,429 sq mi   -  Water (%) 2	Population  -  2007 estimate 6,521,998 (106th)  -  1995 census 4,574,848   -  Density 25/km?nbsp;(177th) 65/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2006 estimate  -  Total $13.75 billion (129th)  -  Per capita $2,200 (138th) Gini (2002) 34.6 (medium)  HDI (2007) ▲ 0.601 (medium) (130th) Currency Kip (LAK) Time zone (UTC+7) Internet TLD .la Calling code [[+856]]

Laos (pronounced /ˈlɑːoʊs/ or /ˈlaʊs/), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in southeast Asia, bordered by Burma (Myanmar) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west. Laos traces its history to the Kingdom of Lan Xang or Land of a Million Elephants, which existed from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century. After a period as a French protectorate, it gained independence in 1949. A long civil war ended officially when the communist Pathet Lao movement came to power in 1975 but the protesting between factions continued for several years.

Private enterprise has increased since the late 1990s when economic reforms including rapid business licensing were introduced. Laos is still ranked among the lowest countries in terms of economic and political freedom.[1] The economy of Laos grew at 7.2% in 2006,[2] 35th fastest in the world. Eighty percent of the employed practice subsistence agriculture.[3] The country's ethnic make-up is diverse, with around 70% belonging to the largest ethnic group, the Lao.[4]