Laos

Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia surrounded by its powerful neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam. It is only slightly larger than Utah. Its people are poor, averaging only $200 of income per year. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of the economy and provides 80% of total employment. There are four major ethnic groups, with the Lao Loum (or lowland) comprising over half of the people. Only 3% of the land is arable, and a large portion is very mountainous. The population is predominantly Buddhist. Handicraft production helps preserve traditional ways for these tribal people.

Since 1974, Laos has been ruled by a communist government. Initial restrictions on outside trade have loosened to make trade with the West possible for the first time since the Vietnam war ended in 1975. Laos is a landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is only available in a few areas, and Laos is self sufficient in food only in non-drought years. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the first organizations to market crafts from Laos in the US.

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