Capital: Vientiane
Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Saravan, Savannakhet, Xekong, Vientiane, Viangchan*, Xaignabouri, Xiangkhoang

Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic)

Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991

Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President NOUHAK PHOUMSAVAN (since 25 November 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15 August 1991)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president, approved by the Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral
Third National Assembly: elections last held on 20 December 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (85 total) number of seats by party NA

Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court

Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president; includes Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC); other parties moribund
Other political or pressure groups: non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders fled the country in 1975
Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador HIEM PHOMMACHANH
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: (202) 332-6416 or 6417
FAX: (202) 332-4923
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Victor TOMSETH
embassy: Rue Bartholonie, Vientiane
mailing address: B. P. 114, Vientiane, or American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546
telephone: [851] 2220, 2357, or 3570, 16-9581
FAX: [851] 4675

Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

NOTE: The information regarding Laos on this page is re-published from the 1995 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Laos Government 1995 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Laos Government 1995 should be addressed to the CIA.