Laos is a country in South-Eastern Asia, one of the 11 entries this site files under that subregion. The long form of the name is Lao People's Democratic Republic. The capital is Vientiane.
Some 7.8 million people call it home, placing it 103rd of 250 by population — between Sierra Leone above it and Hong Kong below. Among the 11 entries in South-Eastern Asia it ranks 7th by area and 8th by population.
Its territory runs to 236,800 km², which ranks it 85th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Romania and just ahead of Guyana. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Romania.
Location, borders and position
Its reference point sits at 18.0° north and 105.0° east, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 2,004 km from the equator, in what geographers would call tropical latitudes.
Countries on the same parallel, far away in longitude, include Niger, Mali and Mauritania.
5 countries share a land border with it: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam. The largest of them by area is China, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 1.65 billion people.
It has no sea coast of its own. That is true of 45 of the 250 entries here, and it means every shipment in or out has to cross someone else's border first. You can see the full picture on the landlocked countries page.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population, density and language
Density comes out at around 33 people per square kilometre, which makes it less crowded than the typical entry on this list. The median across all 250 entries here is about 90 per square kilometre.
People from Laos are called Laotians.
The one official language is Lao. No other entry in this dataset lists Lao, so on this list it stands alone.
Inside Asia it places 32nd of 50 by population, and it accounts for 1.1% of everyone living in South-Eastern Asia.
Money, internet and phone codes
Money there is the Lao kip (â‚, LAK). It shares that currency with.
Websites there use the .la domain. The international dialling code is +856. Its ISO codes are la and LAO, which is what most databases and flag files use.
If a quiz asks for the capital of Laos, the answer is Vientiane.
As a sovereign state it is among the 193 UN members listed here. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
Laos shares borders with 5 countries:
Fun facts about Laos
- Ranked by land area, Laos is 85th out of the 250 countries and territories on this site.
- Its capital city is Vientiane.
- Websites based there use the .la domain.
- Within South-Eastern Asia it is the 7th largest of 11.
- It lies about 2,004 km from the equator, in tropical latitudes.
- Niger and Mali sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.
- It shares land borders with 5 countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.
- It is 103rd of 250 by population, with about 7.8 million residents.
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 about 7.8 million, which makes it the 103rd most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Sierra Leone sits just above it and Hong Kong just below.
- Which countries border Laos?
- Laos borders 5 countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam. China is the largest of them by area.
- What currency does Laos use?
- Laos uses the Lao kip, written â‚ (currency code LAK).
- Is Laos a country?
- Yes. Laos is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
- Is Laos landlocked?
- Yes. Laos has no sea coast, which makes it one of 45 landlocked entries in this dataset. Everything it imports or exports by sea has to cross a neighbour's territory first, and that transit dependency is a well-documented drag on trade costs.
- Where is Laos located?
- Laos is in South-Eastern Asia, part of Asia. Its reference coordinates are 18.0° north and 105.0° east, roughly 2,004 km from the equator in tropical latitudes.
- What language is spoken in Laos?
- The official language of Laos is Lao. No other entry on this list gives it official status.
- How big is Laos?
- Laos covers 236,800 km², ranking 85th of 250 by land area. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Romania.
