FACTS

Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Area (only Total) total: 236,800 sq km

Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)

Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Population: 6,677,534 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Lao

Government type: Communist state

Capital (Name): Vientiane

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+7

Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)

National holiday: Republic Day, 2 December (1975)