• Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to Nov.); dry season (Dec. to April)—little seasonal temperature variation
• Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in the southwest and north

• Labour Force by Occupation:
  • Agriculture: 75%
  • Industry: NA%
  • Services: NA% (2004 est.)
• Unemployment Rate: 2.5% (2005 est.)
• Pop. Below Poverty Line: 40% (2004 est.)

• 2005: beginning of high levels of tourism
• discovery of exploitable gas and oil deposits beneath territorial waters
• steady source of income from mining
• over 50% of the population is under 21
• lack of education and productivity skills
• textile industry threatened by expiration of WTO Agreement

Top Products:

• Agriculture: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, etc.
• Industry: tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood & products, etc.

Christian Perspective

Due to years of war the life expectancy in the 95% Buddhist nation has dropped by half. However, there has been spiritual growth. The church which began with only 2,000 Christians in 1980 has grown to 100,000 today.