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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Laos
Index
In the early 1990s, over 85 percent of the Laotian
population
was rural, typically living in villages ranging from ten
to 200
households, or up to about 1,200 persons. Towns grew
during the
Second Indochina War as villagers fled to escape United
States
bombing. After 1975 many rural migrants returned to
farming. Most
of the sixteen province capitals or centers can be
considered
towns, although a few, such as Phôngsali, Attapu, and
Xiangkhoang,
are not much more than market centers with populations
well under
5,000 surrounded by a somewhat denser network of
neighboring
villages. In 1985 Vientiane had a population estimated at
about
250,000, with municipal water and electricity systems, a
variety of
housing, and more developed educational and health
facilities than
were available elsewhere in the country.
The major provincial centers are Louangphrabang--the
former
royal capital--Savannakhét, and Pakxé, with populations
ranging
from 20,000 to 109,000 and a range of services and urban
amenities.
The other provincial capitals are distinguished by several
government buildings, a regular market--although not
always daily--
at least one hotel and restaurant, and occasional air
service.
Towns are primarily administrative and market centers,
with little
or no industrial manufacturing outside of Vientiane
(see Industry and Services
, ch. 3). Aside from Vientiane and a few other
provincial towns, growth was limited, and the general
pattern of
existence held over many generations. Most of the 121
district
centers were little more than large villages with the
addition of
a middle school and a few score officials.
Data as of July 1994
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