In 2002, Laos was a landlocked country located in Southeast Asia. It had an area of 236,800 square kilometers and a population of 5.7 million people. According to computerannals, the capital of Laos was Vientiane, and its official language was Lao. Comprising mostly mountainous terrain, the landscape in Laos was dominated by the Annamite Mountain Range which included rolling hills and thick jungles. The climate in Laos was tropical with warm winters and hot summers. Natural resources included timber, tin, gold and hydropower. The economy in Laos relied heavily on its agricultural sector which accounted for 33% of GDP as well as supplying over 50% of export revenues and government income. Furthermore Laos also had a small tourism industry due to its unique culture and rich history which included ancient cities such as Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. In 2002 there were still many challenges facing Laos; poverty levels remained high due to a lack of economic diversification away from agriculture exports and low wages for workers in other industries such as manufacturing or services. Furthermore corruption remained a problem which hindered economic development. However despite these issues in 2002 Laos had made significant progress since gaining independence from France in 1954; it had established a Communist state with free elections and had joined international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Yearbook 2002

Laos. No political thunderstorm could be discerned when new representatives were elected February 23 to the country’s parliament, the National Assembly. Of the 109 seats, the ruling Communist Party filled 108. According to Countryaah website, national day of Laos is every May 11. The only non-party candidate out of the 166 who stood in the election was the Justice Minister, who was re-elected.

On average, the new parliament was younger and more educated, which led the outside world to believe that a rejuvenation would occur when the National Assembly elected a new government a few weeks later. However, it turned out that the old political line was stuck and almost the whole old government remained.

In July, Laos, along with other countries in the region as well as the United States, signed a declaration on counter-terrorism. The agreement meant, among other things, that the US could provide technical and financial assistance to the region to combat terrorism and that the countries would exchange information with each other.

The country received devastating criticism from the human rights organization Amnesty International for its treatment of prisoners. Torture is routine and people are arrested and detained arbitrarily, according to Amnesty. The prisoners also receive no medical care if needed.

Laos Country Overview

Visas
Finnish citizen needs a visa to Laos. You can apply for an e-visa in advance at https://laoevisa.gov.la/index. The visa is also available at the border upon arrival in the country and costs 35USD / person. One passport photo is also required for a visa. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after leaving the country.

• According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, LAO stands for Laos.

Insurance
Everyone participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations
No compulsory vaccinations are required to enter the country when arriving from Finland. Please check the validity of vaccinations according to the national vaccination program as well as hepatitis vaccinations. Part of the country is at risk of malaria. Always check vaccination requirements at your health center or tourist clinic vaccination advice.

Currency
The Laotian currency is the KIP (LAK).

The American dollar is used in Laos as a parallel currency. So book with you US dollars as they are the easiest currency to exchange. Euros are also accepted at exchange offices and banks. There are few ATMs in Laos yet and many banks are unable to withdraw money with credit cards. Paying with credit cards is also sometimes tricky, so book enough cash. You can check the daily exchange rates, eg www.forex.fi.

Time zone

GMT +7 hours. Time difference to Finland in winter +5 hours, in summer +4.

Electric current
The electric current is 220 V, but 110 V electric current may also occur. Power outages are relatively common. An adapter is required.

Mobile phones
Check coverage with your operator. Laos Area Code: +856.

Climate
The area has a subtropical climate with hot and dry seasons (March-May), rainy season (June-October) and cool season (November-February). In the southern parts the temperature stays between 25-35 degrees all year round, in the northern mountains it is again much cooler, the average temperature is between 20-30 degrees during the day and between 10-20 degrees at night.

Travel
Seasons Laos has a tropical climate. Showers are common throughout the country and the rainy season is from May to October. During the rainy season, Laos nature thrives and it is one of the most beautiful times. From November to February the average temperature is 25-30 degrees.

Religion: Buddhism is the religion of the majority population, but there are also Taoism, Confucianism, Muslims, and Christian minorities.

Exit fees and airport taxes The exit fee for Laos is approximately $ 10. These amounts are subject to change without notice, depending on local authorities.