Geography Laos is a landlocked country covering 236,800 square kilometres making it about the same size as Ecuador or Great Britain. It comprises mostly mountains and plateaux. The Mekong River flows through western and southern regions and forms a natural border with Thailand and Myanmar. On its banks nestle most of Laos' important cities, such as the capital Vientiane and the former royal capital, Luang Prabang. Rugged mountains cover more than 75% of the country. The vegetation is diverse and rich comprising tropical and subtropical species, from mango and palms to hardwoods. About half the country is still covered with primary forests. Economy Laos is a poor country with a real per capita GDP of US$328 (less than $1/day), a grossly inadequate economic infrastructure, and a largely uneducated workforce. Agriculture, mostly subsistence rice farming, dominates the economy employing 54% of the population and providing 52% of the national income.

Since 1998 tourism has become the biggest export earner for Laos. Second is the garment industry, and third hydropower exports. Logging used to be the biggest contributor, but with the new stricter bans on logging this activity has dropped dramatically in the official statistics. In reality it might still be number one owing to the voracious activities of illegal loggers. Climate The climate in Laos is determined by the monsoons, and Laos falls within the monsoon belt of the tropics. The south-west monsoon, which blows between May and mid-October, brings the rains from moisture picked up in the Indian Ocean. The north-east monsoon, which lasts from November to February, brings cool, dry air from the interior of the continent resulting in mild and dry weather. As mountains cover most of Laos, there are significant climatic variations from region to region based on altitude. Precipitation is also highly variable with more falling on the western, windward slopes facing the south-west monsoon, than the eastern portion that lie in the lee during the rainy season.