Factfile

Capital: Vientiane
Government: Communist state
Currency: Kip (LAK)
Area total: 236,800 km2 (Water: 6,000 km2 & Land: 230,800 km2
Population: 6,521,998 (July 2007 est.)
Language: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Religion: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
Electricity: 220V/50Hz (European & US plugs)
Calling Code: +856
Internet TLD: .la
Time Zone: UTC +7

Weather
Dry season runs from November to April. November to February are cooler while March and April are blisteringly hot. April is the hottest month.
Wet season runs from May to October, though it may start a little early in a couple of Laos' northern provinces. August is the wettest month

Health
Laos is considered very malarial, so anti-malarial are recommended, but check with health professionals: there is a high incidence of parasite drug resistance in these parts. Other mosquito-born diseases, such as dengue, can be life-threatening, so make sure you bring insect repellent and ensure that you sleep with mosquito protection like nets or at least a fan.
The usual precautions regarding food and water are wise. Bottled water is widely available.

Download and print as PDF file.