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<noinclude>
{{For|the Greek political party called LAOS|Popular Orthodox Rally}}
{{topic|Missouri}}
{{For|the the spice used in South-east Asian cuisine known as laos|Galangal}}
{{deletionlist-USstate|Missouri|US}}
{{Infobox Country
</noinclude>
|native_name = ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ <br/>''Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao'' <br/>Lao People's Democratic Republic
|common_name = Laos
|image_flag = Flag of Laos.svg
|image_coat =Coat_of_arms_of_Laos_(since_1991).svg
|symbol_type = Coat of arms
|image_map = LocationLaos.svg
|national_motto = ສັນຕິພາບ ເອກະລາດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ເອກະພາບ ວັດທະນາຖາວອນ<br/>"Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity"
|national_anthem = ''[[Pheng Xat Lao]]''
|official_languages = [[Lao language|Lao]]
|demonym = [[Lao people|Laotian]], [[Lao people| Lao]]
|capital = [[Vientiane]]
|latd=17 |latm=58 |latNS=N |longd=102 |longm=36 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|government_type = [[Socialist state|Socialist republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of Laos|President]]
|leader_name1 = [[Lieutenant General|Lt. Gen.]] [[Choummaly Sayasone]]
|leader_title2 = [[Vice President of Laos|Vice President]]
|leader_name2 = [[Bounnhang Vorachith]]
|leader_title3 = [[Prime Minister of Laos|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name3 = [[Bouasone Bouphavanh]]
|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]]
|sovereignty_note = from [[France]]
|established_event1 = Date
|established_date1 = [[19 July]] [[1949]]
|area_rank = 83rd
|area_magnitude = 1 E11
|area_km2 = 236,800
|area_sq_mi = 91,429 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water = 2
|population_estimate = 6,521,998
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_estimate_rank = 106th
|population_census = 4,574,848
|population_census_year = 1995
|population_density_km2 = 25
|population_density_sq_mi = 65 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 177th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2006
|GDP_PPP = $13.75 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 129th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $2,200
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 138th
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.601
|HDI_rank = 130th
|HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|Gini = 34.6
|Gini_year = 2002
|Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|currency = [[Lao kip|Kip]]
|currency_code = LAK
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +7
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|cctld = [[.la]]
|calling_code = 856}}


==Missouri==
'''Laos''' ({{pronEng|ˈlɑːoʊs}} or {{IPA|/ˈlaʊs/}}), officially the '''Lao People's Democratic Republic''', is a [[landlocked]] country in [[southeast Asia]], bordered by [[Burma]] (Myanmar) and [[People's Republic of China|China]] to the northwest, [[Vietnam]] to the east, [[Cambodia]] to the south, and [[Thailand]] to the west. Laos traces its history to the Kingdom of [[Lan Xang]] or ''Land of a Million Elephants'', which existed from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century.
<!-- New AFD's should be placed on top of the list, directly below this line -->


{{Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Algonquin Golf Club}}
After a period as a [[French colonial empires|French protectorate]], it gained independence in 1949. A long [[Laotian Civil War|civil war]] ended officially when the communist [[Pathet Lao]] movement came to power in 1975 but the protesting between factions continued for several years.
===Proposed deletions===

*{{prodded|Ozark Christian News||}}
[[Private enterprise]] has increased since the late 1990s when economic reforms including rapid business licensing were introduced. Laos is still ranked among the lowest countries in terms of economic and political freedom.<ref>[http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/country.cfm?id=Laos 2008 Index of Economic Freedom, Laos], Heritage foundation</ref> The [[economy of Laos]] grew at 7.5% in 2007,<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2003rank.html Rank Order - GDP - real growth rate], CIA World Factbook</ref> [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) growth rate|35th]] fastest in the world. Eighty percent of the employed practice [[subsistence agriculture]].<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/la.html#Econ Laos: Economy], CIA World Factbook</ref> The country's ethnic make-up is diverse, with around 55% belonging to the largest ethnic group, the [[Lao people|Lao]].<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/la.html#People Laos: People], CIA World Factbook</ref>
----
== Etymology ==
<div class="references-small">
In the [[Lao language]], the country's name is "Meuang Lao". The Imperial French, who made the country part of [[French Indochina]] in 1893, spelled it with a final silent "s", i.e. "Laos" (The Lao language itself has no final 's' sound, so Lao people do not pronounce the word Laos). The usual adjectival form is "Lao", e.g. "the Lao economy", not the "Laotian" economy--although "Laotian" is used to describe the people of Laos to avoid confusion with the [[Lao people|Lao ethnic group]].
''for occasional archiving''

*{{prodded|Prison performing arts|2007-10-02|Deleted}}
== History ==
*{{prodded|First Church of the Nazarene, Mexico, Missouri|2007-09-20|Deleted}}
{{main|History of Laos}}

Laos traces its history to the kingdom of [[Lan Xang]], founded in the [[14th century|fourteenth century]] by Fa Ngum, himself descended from a long line of Lao kings, tracking back to Khoun Boulom. Lan-Xang prospered until the [[18th century|eighteenth century]], when the kingdom was divided into three principalities, which eventually came under [[Siamese]] [[suzerainty]]. In the 19th century, Luang Prabang was incorporated into the 'Protectorate' of [[French Indochina]], and shortly thereafter, the [[Kingdom of Champasak]] and the territory of [[Vientiane]] were also added to the protectorate. Under the French, Vientiane once again became the capital of a unified Lao state. Following a brief [[Japan]]ese occupation during [[World War II]], the country declared its independence in 1945, but the French under [[De Gaulle]] re-asserted their control and only in 1950 was Laos granted semi-autonomy as an "associated state" within the [[French Union]]. Moreover, the French remained in ''de facto'' control until 1954, when Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy. Under a special exemption to the [[Geneva Convention]], a French military training mission continued to support the [[Royal Laos Army]]. In 1955, the [[U.S. Department of Defense]] created a special [[Programs Evaluation Office]] to replace French support of the Royal Lao Army against the communist [[Pathet Lao]] as part of the U.S. [[containment]] policy.

Laos was dragged into the [[Vietnam War]], and the eastern parts of the country were invaded and occupied by the [[North Vietnamese Army]] (NVA), which used Laotian territory as a staging ground and supply route for its war against the [[Republic of Vietnam|South]]. In response, the [[United States]] initiated a bombing campaign against the North Vietnamese, supported regular and irregular anticommunist forces in Laos and supported a [[ARVN|South Vietnamese]] invasion of Laos. The result of these actions were a series of [[coup d'état|coups d'état]] and, ultimately, the [[Laotian Civil War]] between the Royal Laotian government and the communist Pathet Lao.

In the Civil War, the NVA, with its heavy artillery and tanks, was the real power behind the Pathet Lao insurgency. In 1968, the North Vietnamese Army launched a multi-division attack against the Royal Lao Army. The attack resulted in the army largely demobilizing and leaving the conflict to irregular forces raised by the United States and Thailand. Massive aerial bombardment by the United States followed as it attempted to eliminate North Vietnamese bases in Laos in order to disrupt supply lines on the [[Ho Chi Minh trail]].

[[Image:Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Laos.jpg|thumb|left|Pha That Luang in [[Vientiane]], the national symbol of Laos.]]
In 1975, the [[communist]] [[Pathet Lao]], backed by the [[Soviet Union]] and the North Vietnamese Army (justified by the communist ideology of "proletarian internationalism"), overthrew the royalist government, forcing King [[Savang Vatthana]] to abdicate on [[December 2]] [[1975]]. He later died in captivity.

After taking control of the country, Pathet Lao's government renamed the country as the "Lao People's Democratic Republic" and signed agreements giving Vietnam the right to station military forces and to appoint advisers to assist in overseeing the country. Laos was ordered in the late 1970s by Vietnam to end relations with the [[People's Republic of China]] which cut the country off from trade with any country but Vietnam.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Control by Vietnam and socialization were slowly replaced by a relaxation of economic restrictions in the 1980s and admission into [[ASEAN]] in 1997.

In 2005, the [[United States]] established [[Normal Trade Relations]] with Laos, ending a protracted period of punitive import taxes.<ref>[http://vientiane.usembassy.gov/dec_15_2005.html U.S.-Laos Business Opportunities Making Normal Trade Relations a Reality (Dec. 15-2005) - U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Laos<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

== Provinces and districts ==
[[Image:Laos provinces.png|thumb|Provinces of Laos]]
{{main|Provinces of Laos|Districts of Laos}}
Laos is divided into [[Provinces of Laos|16 provinces]] (''qwang'') and Vientiane Capital (''Na Kone Luang Vientiane''):
<div style="width:55%;">
1. [[Attapu Province|Attapu]]<br/>
2. [[Bokeo Province|Bokeo]]<br/>
3. [[Bolikhamxai]]<br/>
4. [[Champasak Province|Champasak]]<br/>
5. [[Houaphan]]<br/>
6. [[Khammouan]]<br/>
7. [[Louang Namtha Province|Loung Namtha]]<br/>
8. [[Louangphabang Province|Louangphabang]]<br/>
9. [[Oudomxai]]<br/>
10. [[Phongsali Province|Phongsali]]<br/>
11. [[Salavan Province|Salavan]]<br/>
12. [[Savannakhet Province|Savannakhet]]<br/>
13. [[Vientiane|Vientiane Capital]]<br/>
14. [[Vientiane Province]]<br/>
15. [[Xaignabouli Province|Xaignabouli]]<br/>
16. [[Xaisomboun]] (special administrative zone, dissolved in 2006) <br/>
17. [[Xekong Province|Xekong]]<br/>
18. [[Xiangkhoang Province|Xiangkhoang]]
</div>
</div>
The country is further divided into [[Districts of Laos|district]]s (''muang'').

== Geography ==
[[Image:La-map.png|thumb|Map of Laos]]
{{main|Geography of Laos}}
Laos is a landlocked country in [[Southeast Asia]] and the thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is [[Phou Bia]] at 2,817&nbsp;m (9,242 ft), with some plains and plateaus. The [[Mekong]] River forms a large part of the western boundary with [[Thailand]], whereas the mountains of the [[Annamite Chain]] form most of the eastern border with [[Vietnam]].
[[Image:Laos Landscape in Vang Vieng.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Landscape in [[Vang Vieng]]]]
The [[climate]] is tropical and [[monsoon]]al. There is a distinct rainy season from May to November, followed by a dry season from December to April. Local tradition holds that there are three seasons (rainy, cold and hot) as the latter two months of the climatologically defined dry season are noticeably hotter than the earlier four months. The capital and largest city of Laos is [[Vientiane]], and other major cities include [[Luang Prabang]], [[Savannakhet (city)|Savannakhet]] and [[Pakxe]].

In 1993, the government set aside 21% of the nation's land area as [[National Biodiversity Conservation Areas]] (NBCA), which may be developed into a national park system.

{{wikinews|"Living fossil" found in Laos}}
Laos is the home to the [[Indochinese tiger]], the giant [[gaur]], and the [[Asian elephant]]. A number of animal species have been discovered or re-discovered in Laos in recent years. These include the striped or [[Annamite rabbit]], the [[saola]], and most recently the [[Laotian rock rat]] or ''kha-nyou''.

The country is one of four in the opium poppy growing region known as the "[[Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)|Golden Triangle]]". According to the October 2007 UNODC fact book "Opium Poppy Cultivation in South East Asia", the poppy cultivation area was {{convert|15|km2|acre}}, down from {{convert|18|km2|acre}} in 2005.

==Government and politics==
{{main|Politics of Laos}}
Laos is a single-party [[socialist republic]]. The only legal political party is the [[Lao People's Revolutionary Party]] (LPRP). The head of state is President [[Choummaly Sayasone]], who also is secretary-general (leader) of the LPRP. The head of government is [[Prime Minister]] [[Bouasone Bouphavanh]]. Government policies are determined by the party through the all-powerful nine-member [[Politburo]] and the 49-member Central Committee. Important government decisions are vetted by the Council of Ministers.

Laos' first, French-written and monarchical [[constitution]] was promulgated on [[May 11]], [[1947]] and declared it to be an independent state within the [[French Union]]. The revised constitution of [[May 11]], [[1957]] omitted reference to the French Union, though close educational, health and technical ties with the former colonial power persisted. The 1957 document was abrogated on [[December 3]], [[1975]], when a communist People's Republic was proclaimed. A new constitution was adopted in 1991 and enshrined a "leading role" for the LPRP. The following year, elections were held for a new 85-seat [[National Assembly of Laos|National Assembly]] with members elected by secret ballot to five-year terms. This National Assembly, which essentially acts as a [[Rubber stamp (politics)|rubber stamp]] for the LPRP, approves all new laws, although the executive branch retains authority to issue binding decrees. The most recent elections took place in April 2006. The assembly was expanded to 99 members in 1997 and in 2006 elections had 115.

The FY 2000 central government budget plan called for revenue of $180 million and expenditures of $289 million, including capital expenditures of $202 million.

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Laos}}
{{seealso|Tourism in Laos}}
[[Image:Wattay Intl Airport Vientiane Laos.jpg|thumb|[[Wattay International Airport]] in [[Vientiane]].]]
[[Image:nam ou 1.jpg|thumb|Rivers are an important means of transport in Laos.]]
The government of Laos — one of the few remaining official [[communist state]]s — began decentralising control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking: growth averaged 6% in 1988-2004 except during the short drop caused by the [[Asian financial crisis]] beginning in 1997.
[[Image:Markt Luang Prabang.jpg|thumb|left|A street market in [[Luang Prabang]].]]
Major urban centers have experienced the most growth. The economies of [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Savannakhet]] in particular have experienced significant booms in recent years. The Lao economy is heavily dependent on investment and trade with its neighbors, Thailand, Vietnam, and, especially in the north, China. [[Pakxe]] has also experienced growth based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam.
[[Image:lao bus.jpg|thumb|Buses connect the major cities.]]
Much of the country, however, lacks adequate infrastructure. Laos has no railways, although a short link to connect Vientiane with Thailand over the [[Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge]] is currently under construction. The major roads connecting the major urban centres, in particular Route 13 South, have been significantly upgraded in recent years, but villages far from major roads are accessible only through unpaved roads that may not be accessible year-round. There is limited external and internal [[telecommunication]], particularly of the wire line sort, but mobile cellular phone use has become widespread in urban centres. In many rural areas electricity is unavailable or offered only during scheduled periods. [[Songthaew]]s (pick-up trucks with benches) are used in the country for long-distance and local public transport.

Subsistence [[agriculture]] still accounts for half of [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]] and provides 80% of total employment. Laos has the lowest percentage of arable land and permanent crop land in the [[Greater Mekong Subregion]].<ref>About Greater Mekong Subregion at [http://www.adb.org/GMS/about.asp Asian Development Bank]</ref> Only 4.01% of Laos is arable land, and only 0.34% of the country is planted with permanent crops.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2097.html Field Listing - Land use], CIA World Factbook</ref> Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80% of the arable land area used for growing rice.<ref>[http://www.irri.org/donors/SDC/pdfs/RiceFabricOf%20LifeInLaos.pdf Rice, the fabric of life in Laos]</ref> Approximately 77% of Lao farm households are self-sufficient in rice.<ref>[http://www.irri.org/publications/today/pdfs/5-2/22-27.pdf Genuinely Lao], Rice Today, April-June 2006</ref> Through the development, release and widespread adoption of improved rice varieties, and through economic reforms, Lao PDR achieved a net balance of rice imports and exports for the first time in 1999.<ref name="eurekalert">[http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-03/irri-tgr031506.php The Green Revolution comes to Laos]</ref> Between 1990 and 2005, rice production increased from 1.5 million tons to 2.5 million tons, an average annual growth rate of more than 5%.<ref>[http://www.irri.org/donors/SDC/pdfs/15YearsOfSupport.pdf FIFTEEN YEARS OF SUPPORT FOR RICE RESEARCH IN LAO PDR]<br />
^ [http://www.irri.org/donors/SDC/pdfs/Asia_Brief.pdf ASIA BRIEF: FILLING THE RICE BASKET IN LAO PDR PARTNERSHIP RESULTS]<br />
^ [http://www.irri.org/donors/SDC/pdfs/GenuinelyLao.pdf Genuinely Lao], Prepared by IRRI’s International Programs Management Office</ref> This increase in production has been valued at $8 million to $19 million per year.<ref name="eurekalert"/> Lao PDR may have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Since 1995 the Lao government has been working with the [[International Rice Research Institute]] (IRRI) to collect seed samples of each of the thousands of rice varieties found in Laos.<ref>[http://www.irri.org/publications/annual/pdfs/ar2000/Race.pdf A Race Against Time]</ref>

The economy receives aid from the [[IMF]] and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and [[mining]], most notably of copper and gold. [[Tourism]] is the fastest-growing industry in the country. However, economic development in general is hampered by a serious case of [[brain drain]]. A 2005 [[World Bank]] study reported that 37% of educated Laotians lived abroad, putting the country in fifth place for worst [[brain drain]]. {{Fact|date=February 2008}}

In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on their exports; this may help spur growth. {{Fact|date=February 2008}}

===Drugs===
{{see|Agriculture in Laos#Opium}}
Laos has historically been involved with the production of drugs, notably [[Opium]]. In 1959 Laos was producing approximately 150 tons. In 1971 production had increased to approximately 300 tons. During the [[Vietnam War]], the vast majority of the opium produced in Laos was consumed by [[US soldiers]].<ref name='Whiteout'>{{cite book | last = [[Alexander Cockburn]] | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = [[Jeffrey St. Clair]] | title = Whiteout: The CIA, Drugs and the Press | publisher = Verso | date = 1998 | location = | pages = 246 | url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=s5qIj_h_PtkC&dq=whiteout+cockburn&pg=PP1&ots=zcnx1c_zsd&sig=LnBzt4NDpMJKvLQgScEPwTmtfa0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA246,M1 | doi = | id = | isbn = 1859841392 }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Laos}}
[[Image:Patuxay, Vientiane, Laos.jpg|thumb|[[Patuxay]], was built with [[USAID]] funds in Vientiane in the 1960s to celebrate the independence struggle.]]
69% of the country's people are ethnic [[Lao people|Lao]], the principal lowland inhabitants and the politically and culturally dominant group. The Lao belong to the [[Tai languages|Tai]] linguistic group who began migrating southward from [[China]] in the first millennium AD. 8% belong to other "lowland" groups, which together with the Lao people make up the [[Lao Loum]].

[[Image:LaosDSCN4342a.jpg|left|thumb|150px|In Luang Prabang, a young woman at the time of a Hmong Meeting Festival.]]

Hill people and minority cultures of Laos such as the [[Hmong people|Hmong]] (Miao), [[Yao people|Yao]] (Mien), [[Tai dumm]], [[Dao]], [[Shan]], and several [[Tibeto-Burman]] speaking peoples have lived in isolated regions of Laos for many years. Mountain/hill tribes of mixed ethno/cultural-linguistic heritage are found in northern Laos which include the [[Lua people|Lua]] (Lua) and Khmu people who are indigenous to Laos. Today, the Lua people are considered endangered. Collectively, they are known as [[Lao Soung]] or highland Laotians. In the central and southern mountains, [[Mon people|Mon]]-[[Khmer people|Khmer]] tribes, known as [[Lao Theung]] or mid-slope Laotians, predominate. Some [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]], [[Overseas Chinese|Chinese]] and [[Thailand]] [[Thai]] minorities remain, particularly in the towns, but many left in two waves; after independence in the late 1940s and again after 1975.

[[Image:Primary Laos.jpg|thumb|right|A primary school in a village in northern rural Laos]]

The term "Laotian" does not necessarily refer to the ethnic Lao language, ethnic Lao people, language or customs, but is a political term that also includes the non-ethnic Lao groups within Laos and identifies them as "Laotian" because of their political citizenship.

The predominant [[religion in Laos]] is [[Theravada|Theravada Buddhism]] which, along with the common [[Animism]] practiced among the mountain tribes, coexists peacefully with spirit worship. There also are a small number of [[Christianity|Christians]], mostly restricted to the Vientiane area, and [[Islam|Muslims]], mostly restricted to the Myanmar border region. Christian missionary work is regulated by the government.

The official and dominant language is [[Lao language|Lao]], a tonal language of the [[Tai languages|Tai]] linguistic group. The written language is based on Khmer writing script. Midslope and highland Lao speak an assortment of tribal languages. French, still common in government and commerce, is still studied by many, as while of English, the language of the [[ASEAN|Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN), has increased in recent years.

== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of Laos}}
{{seealso|Art of Laos|Cuisine of Laos|Dance and theater of Laos|Festivals of Laos|Music of Laos}}

[[Image:Vat Aham Bouddha.JPG|left|300px|thumb|Buddha statues at Vat Aham in Luang Prabang]]
[[Theravada]] [[Buddhism]] is a dominant influence in Lao culture. It is reflected throughout the country from language to the temple and in art, literature, performing arts, etc. Many elements of Lao culture predate Buddhism, however. For example, Laotian [[music]] is dominated by its national [[musical instrument|instrument]], the [[khaen]], a type of [[bamboo]] [[Pan pipes|pipe]] that has prehistoric origins. The khaen traditionally accompanied the singer in ''[[Mor lam|lam]]'', the dominant style of [[folk music]]. Among the various ''lam'' styles, the ''[[lam saravane]]'' is probably the most popular.

The country has two [[World Heritage Site]]s: [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Vat Phou]]. The government is seeking the same status for the [[Plain of Jars]].

Rice is the staple food and has cultural and religious significance. There are many traditions and rituals associated with rice production in different environments, and among many ethnic groups. For example, Khammu farmers in Luang Prabang plant the rice variety Khao Kam in small quantities near the hut in memory of dead parents, or at the edge of the rice field to indicate that parents are still alive.<ref>[http://www.adb.org/Evaluation/case-studies/LAO/Evaluation-Synthesis-on-Rice.pdf An Evaluation of Synthesis of Rice]</ref>

== Media ==
All newspapers are published by the government, including two foreign language papers: the English-language daily ''[[Vientiane Times]]'' and the French-language weekly ''[[Le Rénovateur]]''. Additionally, the Khao San Pathet Lao, the country's official news agency, publishes English and French versions of its eponymous paper. Internet cafes are now common in the major urban centres and are popular especially with the younger generation. However, the government strictly [[censor]]s content and controls access.

==International rankings==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Organisation
! Survey
! Ranking
|-
| [[Heritage Foundation]]/''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''
| [[Index of Economic Freedom#Current ratings|Index of Economic Freedom]]
| 149 out of 157
|-
| [[Reporters Without Borders]]
| [[Reporters Without Borders#Worldwide press freedom index|Worldwide Press Freedom Index]]
| 156 out of 167
|-
| [[Transparency International]]
| [[Corruption Perceptions Index]]
| 163 out of 179
|-
| [[United Nations Development Programme]]
| [[List of countries by Human Development Index|Human Development Index]]
| 130 out of 177
|-
|}

== See also ==
*[[List of Laos-related topics]]
*[[Communications in Laos]]
*[[Emblem of Laos]]
*[[Foreign relations of Laos]]
*[[French colonial empire]]
*[[Health in Laos]]
*[[Laotian Civil War]]
*[[List of indices of freedom]]
*[[Military of Laos]]
*[[North Vietnamese invasion of Laos]]
*[[Scouting in Laos]]
*[[Transport in Laos]]
*[[Vietnam War]]

'''Leaders of ethnic minorities in Laos'''
*[[Pa Chay Vue]]
*[[Ong Keo]]
*[[Ong Kommandam]]

== Notes and references ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks}}
* [http://www.laopdr.gov.la/viewPortalPage.do?PPID=200 The National Portal of Laos]
* [http://www.tourismlaos.gov.la Lao National Tourism Administration]
* [http://laovoices.com/about-laos/ Lao Voices]
* [http://laomedia.la Lao Media]
* {{dmoz|Regional/Asia/Laos|Laos}}
* {{wikitravelpar|Laos}}
* {{wikiatlas|Laos}}
* [http://www.fotonauts.com/albums/dc15b7fb-8f3d-42cb-805b-a1a652cb51e8 Collaborative Collection of Creative Commons licensed images of Laos]

{{Template group
|title = Geographic locale
|list =
{{Countries and territories of Southeast Asia}}
{{Countries of Asia}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International membership and history
|list =
{{Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)}}
{{East Asia Summit (EAS)}}
{{La Francophonie|state=collapsed}}
{{Communist states}}
{{Former French colonies}}
}}

[[Category:Laos| ]]
[[Category:Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states]]
[[Category:Member states of La Francophonie]]
[[Category:Least Developed Countries]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]

{{Link FA|lo}}

[[af:Laos]]
[[ar:لاوس]]
[[an:Laos]]
[[frp:Laos]]
[[ast:Laos]]
[[bn:লাওস]]
[[zh-min-nan:Lao-kok]]
[[be-x-old:Лаос]]
[[bo:ལ་འོ་གོ]]
[[bs:Laos]]
[[br:Laos]]
[[bg:Лаос]]
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[[cv:Лаос]]
[[ceb:Laos]]
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[[cy:Laos]]
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[[dsb:Laos]]
[[et:Laos]]
[[el:Λάος]]
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[[eu:Laos]]
[[fa:لائوس]]
[[fr:Laos]]
[[fy:Laos]]
[[ga:Laos]]
[[gv:Yn Laos]]
[[gd:Làthos]]
[[gl:República Democrática Popular Lao - ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນ ລາວ]]
[[zh-classical:老撾]]
[[hak:Liàu-koet]]
[[ko:라오스]]
[[hy:Լաոս]]
[[hi:लाओस]]
[[hsb:Laos]]
[[hr:Laos]]
[[io:Laos]]
[[ilo:Laos]]
[[bpy:লাওস]]
[[id:Laos]]
[[ie:Laos]]
[[os:Лаос]]
[[is:Laos]]
[[it:Laos]]
[[he:לאוס]]
[[jv:Laos (bumbu)]]
[[pam:Laos]]
[[kn:ಲಾವೋಸ್]]
[[ka:ლაოსი]]
[[ks:लाओस]]
[[csb:Laòs]]
[[kk:Лаос]]
[[kw:Pow Lao]]
[[sw:Laos]]
[[ht:Laos]]
[[ku:Laos]]
[[lo:ປະເທດລາວ]]
[[la:Laotia]]
[[lv:Laosa]]
[[lb:Laos]]
[[lt:Laosas]]
[[lij:Laòs]]
[[li:Laos]]
[[ln:Laos]]
[[hu:Laosz]]
[[mk:Лаос]]
[[ml:ലാവോസ്]]
[[mr:लाओस]]
[[ms:Laos]]
[[nah:Lao]]
[[nl:Laos]]
[[new:लाओस]]
[[ja:ラオス]]
[[nap:Laos]]
[[no:Laos]]
[[nn:Laos]]
[[nov:Laos]]
[[oc:Laos]]
[[ps:لاووس]]
[[km:ឡាវ]]
[[pms:Làos]]
[[nds:Laos]]
[[pl:Laos]]
[[pt:Laos]]
[[crh:Laos]]
[[ro:Laos]]
[[ru:Лаос]]
[[se:Laos]]
[[sa:लाओस]]
[[sq:Laosi]]
[[scn:Laos]]
[[simple:Laos]]
[[sk:Laos]]
[[sl:Laos]]
[[sr:Лаос]]
[[sh:Laos]]
[[su:Laos]]
[[fi:Laos]]
[[sv:Laos]]
[[tl:Laos (bansa)]]
[[ta:லாவோஸ்]]
[[te:లావోస్]]
[[th:ประเทศลาว]]
[[vi:Lào]]
[[tg:Лаос]]
[[tr:Laos]]
[[tk:Laos]]
[[udm:Лаос]]
[[uk:Лаос]]
[[ur:لاؤس]]
[[vo:Laosän]]
[[wo:Réewum Lawos]]
[[wuu:老挝]]
[[zh-yue:寮國]]
[[diq:Laos]]
[[bat-smg:Lauosos]]
[[zh:老挝]]

Revision as of 06:05, 13 October 2008

Deletion Sorting
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This is a collection of discussions on the deletion of articles related to Missouri. It is one of many deletion lists coordinated by WikiProject Deletion sorting. Anyone can help maintain the list on this page.

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Missouri

The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was no consensus. –Juliancolton Tropical Cyclone 00:37, 17 October 2008 (UTC)

Algonquin Golf Club

Algonquin Golf Club (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) (delete) – (View AfD)

Non-notable golf club. Unreferenced. Could not find any reliable refs. Prod removed on article creation date. My prod recently denied due to the first one. Millbrooky (talk) 18:37, 7 October 2008 (UTC)

  • Comment. I removed one of the two refs you added as the subject was a zoning issue that did not seem that relevant to the article. --Millbrooky (talk) 21:03, 13 October 2008 (UTC)
Relisted to generate a more thorough discussion so that consensus may be reached.
Please add new comments below this notice. Thanks, kurykh 06:34, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Delete Problems with WP:RS and WP:ORG. Ecoleetage (talk) 02:40, 14 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Keep. Sources are from a Resolution of the Missouri House. This is one of the oldest country clubs west of the Mississippi. If zillions of articles on minor pop culture detritus can populate Wikipedia, then this should stay. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.107.200.221 (talk) 02:53, 16 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Keep. Notability should be satisfied by official recognition from Missouri General Assembly. See HR cited in sources. --Forestarius (talk) 14:26, 16 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Comment. I've looked through the bills listed on the Missouri House of Representatives' website and can't find any record of house resolution 44-12C. Could you please provide a link to the resolution? --Millbrooky (talk) 16:14, 16 October 2008 (UTC)
The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.

Proposed deletions

for occasional archiving

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