GDP Official Exchange Rate (OER is more precise at gauging a countries economic power)
(Estimated 2011): $7.9 billion (US$) or (GBP)
GDP (OER) Per Capita (per member of the population estimated 2011): (US$) or (GBP)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP is good for gauging living conditions and use of resources but not as accurate as OER. This data has been calculated based on the sum value of all goods and services produced in the country valued at prices prevailing in the United States)
(Estimated 2011): $17.44 billion (US$) or (GBP)
GDP (PPP) Per Capita (per member of the population estimated 2011): $2,700 (US$) or (GBP)
Capital: Vientiane (Viangchan)
Population (Estimated July 2012): 6,586,266
Area: 236,800 km2 or 91,429 mi2
Currency: Kip (KN)
Official Language: Lao
Political Information: Communist and Single Party State
Official Religion: No Official Religion (approximately 67% of the population are Buddhist, 1.5% are Christian and 31.5% have other or unspecified religious beliefs)
Highest Mountain: Phou Bia at 2,819m or 9,249ft
Largest River:
Time Zone (GMT/UTC): +7:00
Wildlife:
Counties/Provinces/States: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhouang
Leaders: Choummaly Sayasone is President and General Secretary of the Revolutionary Party with Thongsing Thammavong as Prime Minister, Pany Yathotu as President of the National Assembly and Sisavath Keobounphanh as the President of construction.
Additional: Gained independence From France on the 19th of July 1949.
Sources: CIA World Fact Book, and Encyclopaedia Britannica.
