The Laos fin flash was the then national flag: " upon a red background were three elephants under a parasol, representing the monarchy, standing on five steps, representing the five first commandments of Buddhism"
French rule in Laos was established in 1893, and the flag of one of the three kingdoms of the zone (Luang Prabang) was adopted, with the French tricolor in the canton. Of the others territories (Vientiane and Champasak)
The current flag was adopted in 1975 and was the flag of the Pathet Lao. It replaced the flag used since 1952. The flag of Laos is one of the few communist-style flags not featuring a star.
Situations deteriorated to the point that our U.S. government was asked by the King of Laos and Prince Souvanna Phouma, for assistance.
There was a dire need for a Laotian ability to counter the Communists, but due to Geneva Convention Accords of 1954 & 1962 (signed by world
governments) made it illegal for foreign military powers to intervene in Laos situations ; to provide combatants, etc., so such assistance should NOT have
obvious U.S. military 'combatant' connections.
The CIA with USAF Air Commandos got the job of setting up air & ground operations, which were secretly under the authority of the U.S. Ambassador
at the American Embassy in Vientiane, Laos.
General Character: Predominantly rural and agricultural; market-oriented economic liberalization measures beginning in 1986 stimulated economic growth. Policy reforms continue, including decentralizing and expanding private-sector economy; reversing agricultural collectivization policy and ending cooperatives; introducing foreign investment code; and restructuring banking system. Agriculture accounts for almost 56 percent gross domestic product (GDP) and approximately 85-90 percent of workforce (1993 estimate). 1989 unemployment estimate 21 percent.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Estimates vary. US$989 million, US$295 income per capita (1993 estimate); from $US295 to US$335 per capita (1994 estimate); real growth rate from 4.5 percent to 5.9 percent. Composition of GDP agriculture and forestry, approximately 56 percent; industry including construction, approximately 17 percent; services, approximately 25 percent; and import duties, 2 percent (1993 estimate). GDP growth targeted at 7 percent for fiscal year (FY) 1993-94. US$4.1 billion purchasing power equivalent (1993 estimate).
Industry: Almost no industrial production outside Vientiane area.
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing: Rice main crop; corn, tobacco, coffee also grown.
Resources: Tin and gypsum most important mineral resources although exploitation on a small scale; electrical energy from hydroelectric power; electricity exported to Thailand.
Foreign Trade: Total exports US$133 million--free on board (f.o.b.) (1993 estimate); primarily to France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, and United States. Principal exports timber and wood products US$42 million; textiles and garments, US$27 million; assembled motorcycles and other items, US$20 million; electricity, US$16 million (1993 estimate). Total imports US$266 million--cost, insurance, and freight (c.i.f) (1992 estimate); primarily from China, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam; increased by approximately 20.5 percent in 1993. Principal imports petroleum, food, vehicles, machinery, and consumer goods. US$353.2 million total (1993 estimate).
Balance of Payments: Record trade deficit of estimated US$150 million in 1993. Foreign debt US$1.1 billion (1992 estimate).
Foreign Aid: Approximately US$167 million in 1992. Almost totally dependent on foreign assistance for development and financing deficit on current account balance. Major foreign aid partners formerly communist countries, particularly Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) members until 1990; since then, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and multilateral agencies, primarily the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Currency and Exchange Rate: Kip. In 2/15/2003 exchange rate averaged 1.00 US DOLLAR (USD) = 7,562.0000 LAOS NEW KIP (LAK)
Fiscal Year: October 1 to September 30.
Data as of July 1994
Population: Estimates vary; July 1994 approximately 4.7 million. Growth rate estimates range from 2.6 to 2.9 percent. More than 85 percent population rural, early 1990s. Approximately 9,000 Laotians--mostly Hmong--in refugee camps in Thailand according to United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees as of January 1995; approximately 1,500 refugees in southern China, late 1994.
Ethnic Groups: Officially multiethnic nation with more than forty ethnic groups, classified into three general families: Lao Sung (upland Lao) 10 percent of population in 1993; Lao Theung (midland Lao) 24 percent; and Lao Loum (lowland Lao), 66 percent. The term Laotian is used for the national population; Lao for the ethnic group.
Language: Lao, official language; also French, English, various highland ethnic languages.
Religion: Provision for religious freedom in constitution; almost all Laotians Buddhist. Theravada Buddhism predominant among Lao Loum and some Lao Theung; animist beliefs widespread.
Education and Literacy: Universal, compulsory education after establishment of LPDR in 1975 but limited resources. Enrollments: estimated 603,000 primary school students, almost 130,000 secondary school students--including lower- and upper secondary school--in 1992-93. Universal primary education goal for 2000. Nine-month school year includes five years primary school, three years lower-secondary school, and three years upper-secondary school. Those able to read and write estimated by United Nations at 84 percent (92 percent of men and 76 percent of women) ages fifteen to forty-five as of 1985; other figures cite only 45 percent total literacy; government acknowledges need for improved literacy.
Health: Health and health care poor. Chronic moderate vitamin and protein deficiencies common, especially among upland ethnic groups. Poor sanitation. Number of health care personnel increasing; concentrated in Vientiane area, where population per physician 1,400:1 versus national ratio of 10,000:2.6 in 1989. Birth rate 43.23 per 1,000; death rate 14.74 per 1,000, 1994 estimates. Life expectancy at birth 50.16 years male, 53.28 years female, 1994 estimates.
Data as of July 1994
