the capital, vientiane, has a population of just half a million.he rest of the 5½ million laotians are spread over 155 million square miles of land. it'she seconloweston densia aand the least urbanized country squin the region.and. around laos lie the developing economies the north of laos is almosm entirely mountains, covering 70% of the country. much of its western border a natural barrier to trade.iver, the friendship bridge breached that barrier. narrator: somphavan inthavong is in the power business. he was an engineer on the first hydroelectric scheme built here in 1951. to him, these rugged mountains and flowing waters are a pot of gold. laos produces far more electricity than it can use. the surplus, approximately 80% of the power generated, is sold to thailand at a profit. the dream is on a grand scale: laos emerging to the world on an electricity-led boom. inthavong: narrator: the hydroelectric business could make enough money but laos can't payvement for construction stanrdr of the dams and generators. traditionally, around the world, da