Total Area: 236,800 sq km
Land Area: 230,800 sq km
Water Area: 6,000 sq km
Size Compared to the U.S.A: Slightly larger than Utah
Borders: Burma 238 km, Cambodia 555 km, China 475 km, Thailand 1,845 km, Vietnam 2,161 km
Total Distance of all Land Boundaries: 5,274 km
Coastline Distance: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Tropical monsoon; May through November is a rainy season; December to April is the dry season
Terrain: Many rugged mountains, occasional plains and plateaus
Average elevation: 710 m
Lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
Highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m
Land Area: 230,800 sq km
Water Area: 6,000 sq km
Size Compared to the U.S.A: Slightly larger than Utah
Borders: Burma 238 km, Cambodia 555 km, China 475 km, Thailand 1,845 km, Vietnam 2,161 km
Total Distance of all Land Boundaries: 5,274 km
Coastline Distance: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Tropical monsoon; May through November is a rainy season; December to April is the dry season
Terrain: Many rugged mountains, occasional plains and plateaus
Average elevation: 710 m
Lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
Highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m
Population:
Population (Mid-2012): 7,019,073 people
Density (people per sq. km): 21 people per square kilometer
Net Migration Rate(# per 1000 people): -1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Birth Rate (# per 1000 people): 23.9 births/1,000 population
Death Rate (# per 1000 people): 7.5 deaths/1,000 population
Rate of Natural Increase: 16.4
Population Growth Rate: 1.53%
Infant Mortality Rate (# of deaths per 1000 live births): 51.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Total Fertility Rate (average # of children per woman): 2.76 children born/woman
Population Age <15 %: 33.4%
Population Ages 65+ %: 3.85%
Dependency Rate (add together Population Age <15 % and Ages 65+%): 37.25%
Life Expectancy at Birth (total): 64.3 years
Life Expectancy at Birth Females: 66.4 years
Life Expectancy at Birth Males: 62.2 years
Primary School Completion Rate Females: 99.02%
Primary School Completion Rate Males: 102.34%
Secondary School Enrollment Net Females: 49.88%
Secondary School Enrollment Net Males: 51.84%
GNI PPP per capita in US$: 1,660.71 USD
Economically Active Females 15+: 78%
Economically Active Males 15+: 79%
Mobile Phone Subscribers (# per 100): 66.99
Motor Vehicles (# per 1000): 20
Undernourished Population: 18.5%
Underweight Children Under Age 5: 26.5%
HIV/AIDS Among People Ages 15 - 49: 11,100
Laos is in stage two of the demographic transition model. The population pyramid is in a nearly triangular shape, which is a dead giveaway about being in stage 2. Not only this, but Laos has a significantly noticeable rate of natural increase (16.4) indicates that many more births occur than deaths. Additionally, there are other signs of Laos having somewhat poor living conditions, such as their large underweight children percentage. This means that it is likely that a child could die, so parents may have more to ensure that they will still have children.
https://www.gapminder.org/tools/#_chart-type=bubbles&state_time_value=2007&start=1980&end=2007&startSelected=1988&endSelected=2007;&entities_select@_geo=lao&trailStartTime=1988;;&opacitySelectDim=0.00;&marker_axis%2F_y_which=income%2F_per%2F_person%2F_gdppercapita%2F_ppp%2F_inflation%2F_adjusted&domainMin:142&domainMax:182700&zoomedMin:142&zoomedMax:182700&scaleType=log;&axis%2F_x_which=primary%2F_completion%2F_rate%2F_total%2F_percent%2F_of%2F_relevant%2F_age%2F_group&domainMin:1.505&domainMax:140.2&zoomedMin:1.51&zoomedMax:140.2&scaleType=linear
The axes picked were the primary school completion being compared to the income per person. These correlate directly because as the population's completion of primary expanded the income increased in general. However the profile of Laos is still obvious in the fact that the income of Laos overall is much smaller than many other countries.
Languages:
Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
The block for the Laos challenge is that the competitors have to eat 15 sandwiches from street vendors in Laos. The sandwiches there are famous with plenty of people selling them so let's see if the competitors can last that long.
The destination point for the travelers is the Mekong River. The river has beautiful scenery that any visitors would enjoy.
3 Pictures to Show Laos Culture:
Culture Journal Report:
"Culture of Laos" - http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Laos.html
Written in 2016 by multiple contributors
The article goes into detail about the nitty gritty about daily life in Laos. It talks about the foods like rice. Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong, and some other groups favor nonsticky varieties that can be eaten with chopsticks or spoons rather than with fingers. Since the abolition of the aristocracy in 1975, there have been no hereditary castelike groups. Many members of the aristocracy fled after the revolution, as did members of the state-based elite. Since 1975 the country has been a communist one-party state. Until the proclamation of a constitution in 1991, the Communist Party ruled by decree. Besides age, gender is the main way in which social roles and practices are organized. In Buddhism, men are the main religious leaders as monks, and while women can become nuns, it does not entail a sacred transformation.
Written in 2016 by multiple contributors
The article goes into detail about the nitty gritty about daily life in Laos. It talks about the foods like rice. Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong, and some other groups favor nonsticky varieties that can be eaten with chopsticks or spoons rather than with fingers. Since the abolition of the aristocracy in 1975, there have been no hereditary castelike groups. Many members of the aristocracy fled after the revolution, as did members of the state-based elite. Since 1975 the country has been a communist one-party state. Until the proclamation of a constitution in 1991, the Communist Party ruled by decree. Besides age, gender is the main way in which social roles and practices are organized. In Buddhism, men are the main religious leaders as monks, and while women can become nuns, it does not entail a sacred transformation.
Politics:
Conventional Long Form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
Capital cities: Vientiane
Type of government: communist state
Date of Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National Holidays: Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Chief of State: President Bounnyang Vorachit
Capital cities: Vientiane
Type of government: communist state
Date of Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National Holidays: Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Chief of State: President Bounnyang Vorachit
Head of Government: Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulit
Description of Executive Branch: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Description of Legislative Branch: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (132 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote from candidate lists provided by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; members serve 5-year terms)
Description of Judicial Branch: People's Supreme Court (consists of the court president and organized into criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile chambers, each with a vice president and several judges)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
U.S. Ambassador: Mai Xaignavong
Embassy Location in Laos: Thadeua Road, Kilometer 9, Ban Somvang Tai, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
U.S. Embassy Location: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
U.S. Ambassador from Laos: Rena Bitter
Flag meaning: the red bands recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as the country's bright future
National Symbols: elephant; national colors: red, white, blue
International Disputes: southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River
Quantity of Refugees: Not applicable
Internally displaced persons: Not applicable
Stateless persons: Not applicable
Drug trafficking: estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2009)
Description of Executive Branch: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Description of Legislative Branch: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (132 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote from candidate lists provided by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; members serve 5-year terms)
Description of Judicial Branch: People's Supreme Court (consists of the court president and organized into criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile chambers, each with a vice president and several judges)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
U.S. Ambassador: Mai Xaignavong
Embassy Location in Laos: Thadeua Road, Kilometer 9, Ban Somvang Tai, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
U.S. Embassy Location: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
U.S. Ambassador from Laos: Rena Bitter
Flag meaning: the red bands recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as the country's bright future
National Symbols: elephant; national colors: red, white, blue
International Disputes: southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River
Quantity of Refugees: Not applicable
Internally displaced persons: Not applicable
Stateless persons: Not applicable
Drug trafficking: estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2009)
Political Journal Report:
Title: Reform or Revolution?
Author: David Hutt
Published: September 28, 2016
Link: http://thediplomat.com/2016/09/laos-reform-or-revolution/
Article Analysis: The article details the issues with the lying regime that powers over Laos currently. It talks about how the people of the country have no choice but to seem happy but it asks the important question of "are these people actually satisfied?" It is very likely that many people in Laos are unsatisfied because of all the impoverish conditions that the country is left in. The country has relatively low standards of living so why would the people there be satisfied with the leadership there? That's why the leaders at Laos need to be monitored closer, as suggested by the article.
Author: David Hutt
Published: September 28, 2016
Link: http://thediplomat.com/2016/09/laos-reform-or-revolution/
Article Analysis: The article details the issues with the lying regime that powers over Laos currently. It talks about how the people of the country have no choice but to seem happy but it asks the important question of "are these people actually satisfied?" It is very likely that many people in Laos are unsatisfied because of all the impoverish conditions that the country is left in. The country has relatively low standards of living so why would the people there be satisfied with the leadership there? That's why the leaders at Laos need to be monitored closer, as suggested by the article.
Agriculture:
Total Area: 236,800 sq km
Land Area: 230,800 sq km
Water Area: 6,000 sq km
Climate Description: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain Description: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Arable Land Use: 6.2%
Permanent Crop Use: 0.7%
Irrigated Land: 3,100 sq km
Total Renewable Water Sources: Not listed
Total Freshwater Withdrawal: Not listed
Per Person Freshwater Withdrawal: Not listed
Natural Hazards: floods, droughts
Environmental Current Issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water
Total Labor Force: 3.5 million
% of Labor Force in Agriculture: 73.1%
Agriculture Products Description: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; cassava (manioc, tapioca), water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Land Area: 230,800 sq km
Water Area: 6,000 sq km
Climate Description: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain Description: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Arable Land Use: 6.2%
Permanent Crop Use: 0.7%
Irrigated Land: 3,100 sq km
Total Renewable Water Sources: Not listed
Total Freshwater Withdrawal: Not listed
Per Person Freshwater Withdrawal: Not listed
Natural Hazards: floods, droughts
Environmental Current Issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water
Total Labor Force: 3.5 million
% of Labor Force in Agriculture: 73.1%
Agriculture Products Description: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; cassava (manioc, tapioca), water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Development and Industry:
N/Population: 6,903,049
GNI PPP Per Capita (US$): $4,910
Women as % of Nonfarm Wage Earners: 35%
Women as % of Parliament: 25%
CO2 Emissions Per Capita (metric tons): 540,000
Death Due to Non-Communicable Diseases: 48%
Births Attended by Skill Health Personnel (%): 20%
Democracy: CPIA Gender Equality Rating: N/A
Economy: Big Mac Index: N/A
Economy: Cash Surplus/Deficit (% of GDP): -1.4%
Economy: Human Development Index: 0.545
Economy: Technology Index: N/A
Education: Average Years of School for Adults: 5
Education: Education Spending (as % of GDP): 11.7%
Education: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (elementary): 31.48
Education: Teachers as % of Labor Force: N/A
Health: Expenditure Per Capita: $16.80
Health: Hospital Beds Per 1000: 1.2
Health: Physicians Per 1000: 0.59
Media: Televisions (total number): 52000
Media: Per Capita Televisions: 9.25
% of GDP as Industry: 32.5%
Total Labor Force: 3.5 million
% of Labor Force in Industry: 6.1%
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%
Public Debt % of GDP: 61.6%
Inflation Rate Industries: 0.7%
Value of Exports: $3.075 billion
Export Commodities: wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold, cassava
Export Partners and %: Thailand 30.4%, China 27%, Vietnam 17.6%
Value of Imports: $3.936 billion
Import Commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Import Partners and %: Thailand 60.9%, China 18.6%, Vietnam 7.3%
Currency Exchange Rate to $1.00: 8,190.2
Electricity Production: 16 billion kWh
Electricity Consumption: 3.9 billion kWh
Electricity from Fossil Fuels: 1.7% of total installed capacity
Electricity from Nuclear Fuels: 0%
Electricity from Hydroelectric Plants: 98.3% of total installed capacity
Electricity from Renewable Sources: 0%
Refined Oil Production: None
Refined Oil Consumption: 3,500 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production: None
Natural Gas Consumption: None
# of Land/Main Line Telephones: 962,497
# of Cellular/Mobile Telephones: 3.727 million
# of Internet Hosts: 1.258 million
# of Internet Users: 1.258 million
# of Airports (total): 41
# of Airports with Paved Runways: 8
# of km of Roadways (total): 39,586 km
# of km of Roadways Paved: 5415 km
# km of Waterways: 4,600 km
Location of Main Ports & Terminals: Mekong River and its tributaries
GNI PPP Per Capita (US$): $4,910
Women as % of Nonfarm Wage Earners: 35%
Women as % of Parliament: 25%
CO2 Emissions Per Capita (metric tons): 540,000
Death Due to Non-Communicable Diseases: 48%
Births Attended by Skill Health Personnel (%): 20%
Democracy: CPIA Gender Equality Rating: N/A
Economy: Big Mac Index: N/A
Economy: Cash Surplus/Deficit (% of GDP): -1.4%
Economy: Human Development Index: 0.545
Economy: Technology Index: N/A
Education: Average Years of School for Adults: 5
Education: Education Spending (as % of GDP): 11.7%
Education: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (elementary): 31.48
Education: Teachers as % of Labor Force: N/A
Health: Expenditure Per Capita: $16.80
Health: Hospital Beds Per 1000: 1.2
Health: Physicians Per 1000: 0.59
Media: Televisions (total number): 52000
Media: Per Capita Televisions: 9.25
% of GDP as Industry: 32.5%
Total Labor Force: 3.5 million
% of Labor Force in Industry: 6.1%
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%
Public Debt % of GDP: 61.6%
Inflation Rate Industries: 0.7%
Value of Exports: $3.075 billion
Export Commodities: wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold, cassava
Export Partners and %: Thailand 30.4%, China 27%, Vietnam 17.6%
Value of Imports: $3.936 billion
Import Commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Import Partners and %: Thailand 60.9%, China 18.6%, Vietnam 7.3%
Currency Exchange Rate to $1.00: 8,190.2
Electricity Production: 16 billion kWh
Electricity Consumption: 3.9 billion kWh
Electricity from Fossil Fuels: 1.7% of total installed capacity
Electricity from Nuclear Fuels: 0%
Electricity from Hydroelectric Plants: 98.3% of total installed capacity
Electricity from Renewable Sources: 0%
Refined Oil Production: None
Refined Oil Consumption: 3,500 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production: None
Natural Gas Consumption: None
# of Land/Main Line Telephones: 962,497
# of Cellular/Mobile Telephones: 3.727 million
# of Internet Hosts: 1.258 million
# of Internet Users: 1.258 million
# of Airports (total): 41
# of Airports with Paved Runways: 8
# of km of Roadways (total): 39,586 km
# of km of Roadways Paved: 5415 km
# km of Waterways: 4,600 km
Location of Main Ports & Terminals: Mekong River and its tributaries
Urban Geography:
Five largest cities:
1Viengchan
2Savannakhet
3Pakxe
4Luangprabang
5Phonsavan
Largest city population: 620,157
Rank size rule:
2. 310,079
3. 155,039
4. 77,520
5. 38,759
Actual Populations:
1Viengchan-620,157
2Savannakhet-91,684
3Pakxe-68,093
4Luangprabang-66,781
5Phonsavan-48,643
Explanation: All of the populations on the second and third largest cities are off. They are significantly smaller than those of the rank size rule. However, the final two cities are relatively accurate. This is an inverse of the problem presented by the previous country.
Population: 6,903,049
Population Density: Not listed
% Urban Population: 38%
% Urban Population Living in Slums: Not listed
Average % Change in Urban: Not listed
% with Improved Urban Sanitation: Not listed
% with Improved: Not listed
Urban Water Supply: Not listed
1Viengchan
2Savannakhet
3Pakxe
4Luangprabang
5Phonsavan
Largest city population: 620,157
Rank size rule:
2. 310,079
3. 155,039
4. 77,520
5. 38,759
Actual Populations:
1Viengchan-620,157
2Savannakhet-91,684
3Pakxe-68,093
4Luangprabang-66,781
5Phonsavan-48,643
Explanation: All of the populations on the second and third largest cities are off. They are significantly smaller than those of the rank size rule. However, the final two cities are relatively accurate. This is an inverse of the problem presented by the previous country.
Population: 6,903,049
Population Density: Not listed
% Urban Population: 38%
% Urban Population Living in Slums: Not listed
Average % Change in Urban: Not listed
% with Improved Urban Sanitation: Not listed
% with Improved: Not listed
Urban Water Supply: Not listed