a republic in SE Asia: first united as the kingdom of Lan Xang ("million elephants") in 1353, after being a province of the Khmer Empire for about four centuries; made part of French Indochina in 1893 and gained independence in 1949; became a republic in 1975. It is generally forested and mountainous, with the Mekong River running almost the whole length of the W border. Official language: Lao. Religion: Buddhist majority. Currency: kip. Capital: Vientiane (Viangchan). Pop: 6 858 160 (2017 est). Area: 236 800 sq km (91 429 sq miles)