Statistics

Use the following website to answer the questions below about the statistics in Laos.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/la.html

a) What is the population of Laos and what percentage of the population is in the main city Vientiane?
b) How many people are living with HIV/AIDS and how many people have died from it?
c) In Laos what percentage of the people are Buddhist, Christian and unspecified?

Government

The official name of Laos is Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is Currently a communist state and has had a great history in politics and government.
To answer the Questions below you will need to read through the information on BOTH websites.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/la.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos#Government_and_politics

a) On what day did Laos gain there independence form France?

b) At this present time who is the head of government, head of state and the General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary party?

c) Describe the Laos national flag?

Geography

Laos is a small small country in Southeast Asia. most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/la.html

a) On the map identify where Laos is and name the places/cities/countries that boarder it.
b) What is the total area of Laos and what percent of it is water and land?
c) Justify the natural resource that can be found in Laos and suggest a use for each of them?

Economy

The Lao economy is heavily dependent on investment and trade with its neighbours, Thailand, Vietnam and especially North China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos#Economy
a) How much of the land is arable land and how much is permanent crop land?
b) What is the dominate crop of Laos? What percent of faming house hold are self sufficient with this crop?
c)What mineral resources have to be imported into Laos?

Landmarks

Laos has many famous landmarks throughout its many cities. This includes temples, caves and other important land forms.
Search though the following links to find answers to the questions.
http://famouswonders.com/luang-prabang/
http://famouswonders.com/pha-that-luang/

a) Where is Haw Kham and describe its many uses?

b) Who built the Pha That Luang and when was it built?
c) Explain how and when  the Pha That Luang was damaged.

Culture

Laos Culture is very different from most. It has a wide variety of food and entertainment.There are many unique things in the Lao culture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos#Culture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Laos
a) why is sticky rice such an important food of Laos?
b) What is the traditional dominate influence that majority of the population follows in Laos and how is it reflected?
c) What is the national instrument of Laos called and what is it made of and look like?

Religion

The majority of people in Laos follow the Buddhist religion, in particular the Theravada tradition.

http://countrystudies.us/laos/58.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magha_Puja

a) Explain why men are expected to spend a period of time as a monk or novice prior to marriage and possibly in old age.

b) Identify other countries/places is Theravada Buddhism the dominate religion?

c) Suggest the spiritual aims of the Magha Puja annual Buddhist festival?