Capital: Vientiane
Formal name in English: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Head of state: Lt. Gen. Choummaly Sayasone
Languages: Lao
Population: 6,320,000
Surface area: 236,800 km2
Currency: Kip (LAK)
GDP at current prices (US$ million 2008): 5,289
GDP at current prices pet capita (US$ 2008): 918
Growth rate of GDP (at constant prices percent 2008): 8.4

Inflation rate(2008): 8.5
Principle Exports: wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin, copper, gold
Largest companies: The Aditya Birla Group
Value of exports (US$ million 2008): 828
Top business school: National University of Laos
Poverty(% living on <US$2/day): 76.8%
Adult literacy rate percent(2007):
Male: 80.0
Female: 66.6
Human development index (2007): 0.734
Unemployment rate percent: N /A
Energy sources: fuelwood , hydropower, Biomas