Capital: Vientiane (Viangchan)
Population: 6,803,699 (July 2014 est.)
Ethnic groups: Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26% (2005 census)
Religions: Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5% (2005 census)
History of Laos:
The first Laotian state, the Lan Xang kingdom, was established in the 14th century under King Fa Ngum. The Lan Xang kingdom ruled Laos until it split into three separate kingdoms in 1713. During the 18th century, the three kingdoms came under Siamese (Thai) rule and, in 1893, became a French protectorate. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand.

A strong nationalist movement developed during World War II, but France reestablished control in 1946 and made the king of Luang Prabang constitutional monarch of all Laos. France granted semi-autonomy in 1949 and full independence within the French Union in 1950.

In 1951, Prince Souphanouvong organized the Pathet Lao, a Communist independence movement, in North Vietnam. Viet Minh and Pathet Lao forces invaded Laos, resulting in civil war. By the Geneva Agreements of 1954 and an armistice of 1955, two northern provinces were given to the Pathet Lao. Full sovereignty was given to the kingdom by the Paris Agreements of December 29, 1954. In 1957, Prince Souvanna Phouma, the royal prime minister, and Pathet Lao leader Prince Souphanouvong, agreed to establish a unified government, with Pathet Lao participation and integration of Pathet Lao forces into the royal army. The agreement broke down in 1959.

In 1960, Gen. Phoumi Nosavan, controlling the bulk of the royal army, set up a pro-Western revolutionary government headed by Prince Boun Oum in the south. General Phoumi took Vientiane in December, driving Souvanna Phouma into exile in Cambodia. In 1961, a cease-fire was arranged and a coalition government headed by Souvanna Phouma was established.

The Communist Pathet Lao seized complete power in 1975, installing Souphanouvong as president and Kaysone Phomvihane as prime minister. The monarchy was abolished on December 2, 1975, when the Pathet Lao ousted the coalition government and King Sisavang Vatthana abdicated.

In August 1991, the Supreme People's Assembly adopted a new constitution that dropped all references to socialism but retained the one-party state.

In 1995, the United States announced the lifting of its ban on aid to Laos. By most international estimates, Laos is one of the poorest countries in the world. The subsistence farmers, who make up more than 80% of the population, were plagued with bad conditions due to floods and drought.

Laos became a member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1997. Khamtay Siphandone, a former military leader of the Pathet Lao, became president in 1998.

Starting in March 2000, Vientiane was rocked by a series of unexplained bomb blasts. Some attributed the violence to a group of Hmong tribesmen based in the north. The anti-Communist rebel group protested the government's reluctance to embrace democratic reforms. Others attribute the bombs to rival factions in the government or military.

In February 2002 parliamentary elections, 165 out of 166 candidates were members of the governing Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Khamtay Siphandone retired as Lao People's Revolutionary Party leader in March 2006. Choummaly Sayasone became party secretary-general and president of Laos. Bouasone Bouphavanh became prime minister.

Laos announced the surprise resignation of Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh on December 23, 2010. Thongsing Thammavong, president of the National Assembly, replaced him.

In November 2012, Laos approved plans to build a massive dam at Xayaburi on the lower Mekong river, despite opposition from environmentalists and neighbors Cambodia and Vietnam.

In May 2014, several senior officials were killed in a plane crash, including Deputy Prime Minister Douangchay Phichit, Security Minister Thongbanh Sengaphone, and Vientiane Mayor Soukanh Mahalath.
The following are some Scriptures that deal with end-time events.  All prophecies concerning the nations are leading up to fulfillment of end-time judgments (events).

Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39
Zechariah 13: 8-9
Zechariah 14: 1-16
Daniel chapters 2, 4, 7-12
Matthew 24: 1-51
Mark 13: 1-37
Luke 21: 6-38
The book of Revelation
The book of Joel
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World Ministries International