Laos 🇱🇦 is a fascinating landlocked country located in South-Eastern Asia, part of the Asia region. Officially known as Lao People's Democratic Republic, it is home to roughly 7.8 million people and covers an area of about 236,800 square kilometres.
On this page you will find a complete profile of Laos — its capital Vientiane, its people and languages, the money used there, where it sits on the world map, and plenty of facts worth remembering the next time the country comes up in a quiz.
Laos on the map
Geographically, Laos belongs to South-Eastern Asia within Asia. Its territory spans approximately 236,800 km², which makes it the 85th largest country or territory on Earth.
As a landlocked country, Laos has no direct access to the open ocean, which has shaped its trade routes, cuisine and history in distinctive ways. It shares land borders with Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.
The capital city is Vientiane, the political and cultural heart of the country and usually the first stop for visitors who want to understand how laotian life really works.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population and languages of Laos
Around 7.8 million people live in Laos, making it the 103rd most populous country or territory in the world. A person from Laos is called a Laotian.
The main language spoken here is Lao. Learning even a handful of phrases before a visit goes a long way with locals.
Beyond the numbers, everyday culture in Laos — from markets and music to family traditions — is what makes discovering it through a random spin so rewarding.
Practical information about Laos
The official currency is the Lao kip (LAK, symbol ₭). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check current rates before travelling.
The international dialling code for Laos is +856. Websites from the country typically use the .la internet domain.
Quiz tip: the three facts most worth memorising about Laos are its flag, its capital Vientiane, and its approximate population of 7.8 million.
Neighbouring countries
Laos shares borders with 5 countries:
Fun facts about Laos
- Laos's flag emoji is 🇱🇦 — its two-letter country code is LA and its three-letter code is LAO.
- Laos covers 236,800 km², ranking 85th in the world by area.
- With about 7.8 million people, Laos holds the 103rd spot in the world population ranking.
- Laos is a member state of the United Nations.
- Laos is one of the world's landlocked countries — it has no sea coastline.
Laos — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Laos?
- The capital of Laos is Vientiane.
- What is the population of Laos?
- Laos has a population of approximately 7,769,819 people, ranking 103rd in the world.
- Where is Laos located?
- Laos is located in South-Eastern Asia, part of the Asia region. It is a landlocked country.
- What language is spoken in Laos?
- The main language spoken in Laos is Lao.
- What currency is used in Laos?
- Laos uses the Lao kip (LAK).
