Data code LA
Government type: Lao People's Democratic Republic. Capital Vientiane
Administrative divisions 17 provinces that are included 1 Municipality Kampheng nakhon Vientiane and 1 special zone (khet phisetXaysomboune);
Champasak, Salavan, Attapu, Xekong, Savannakhet, Bolikhamxai, Khammouan, Vientiane Province, Louangphabang, Xaignabouli, Bokeo, Houaphan, Louangnamtha, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Xiangkhoang.
Independence 19 July 1949 (from France).
National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Constitution promulgated 14 August 1991.
Executive branch chief of state: President Khamtai SIPHANDON, Vice President Choummaly SAYGNASONE.
Head of government:Prime Minister Bounyanh VORACHITH, Deputy Prime Minister Ajang LAOLY , Deputy Prime Minister Thongloune SISOULITH and Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat LENGSAVAT.
Cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly
Elections:president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 11 April 2002; prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term;
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly (106 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - by presidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seats increased from 85 to 106)
Relections: last held 21 December 1997. This year election held NA 11 April 2002.
Judicial branch People's Supreme Court, the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee elects the president of the People's Supreme Court, the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the National Assembly Standing Committee appoints the judges
Political parties and leaders Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president].
International organization participation ACCT, ADB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO(observer)
Flag description three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band.