Laos
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. Laos shares borders with Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. Laos has a number of rivers running through it and the abundance of fish contribute to the Laotian subsistence economy.
Quick Facts
Population: 7.234 million
Ethnic Groups: Lao (53.2%), Khmou (11%), Hmong (9.2%), Phouthay (3.4%), Tai (3.1%), Makong (2.5%), Katong (2.2%), Lue (2%), Akha (1.8%), Other (11.6%)
Languages: Lao (Official), French, English, Other (Ethnic languages)
Religions: Buddhist (64.7%), Christian (1.7%), None (31.4%), Other/Not Stated (2.1%)
Capital: Vientiane
CIA: The World Factbook — Last Updated December 27, 2019
Laotian in Canada
Laotian Population in Canada
24,575
Useful Links
Laos became independent from France in 1954. Communist forces gained total control by 1975 and persecuted Christians. Two-thirds of Laotian Christians fled while the rest were forced to meet in secret. The Communists did not try to eliminate Buddhism, but instead tried to manipulate it for political purposes. Many monks refused to comply and either fled or quit. Religious restrictions have since eased up, but Christians are still targets of persecution despite the fact that Christianity is one of the four recognized religions in Laos. On the other hand, Buddhism has largely been revived. The Communist Party continues to have full political control (Laos is one of few communist countries left in the world). However, there has been some economic liberalization.
- Central Intelligence Agency. (2019, December 5). The World Factbook: Laos. Retrieved December 27, 2019, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/laos/
- Encyclopedia of the Nations. (n.d.). Laos. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/geography/Indonesia-to-Mongolia/Laos.html
- Encyclopedia of the Nations. (n.d.). Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Lao-People-s-Democratic-Republic.html
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. (2009, October 15). Cultural Information – Laos. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-apercus_pays/culture-culture_la.aspx?lang=eng
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. (2011, December 15). Overview – Laos. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-apercus_pays/overview-apercu_la.aspx?lang=eng
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- Mandryk, J. (2010). Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (7th ed.). Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing.
- Prayercast. (n.d.). Laos. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from https://www.prayercast.com/laos.html
- Statistics Canada. (2011, April 7). 2006 Census of Canada: Topic-based tabulations/Ethnic Origin, Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses and Sex for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census – 20% Sample Data. Retrieved July 15, 2014, from http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement