Laos is a landlocked Southeast Asian country threaded by the Mekong River, dominated by forested highlands, sleepy riverside towns like Luang Prabang, and one of the world's last remaining communist states.
Geography & landscape
Laos sits in South-Eastern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 236,800 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Vientiane, lies near coordinates 18°, 105°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider South-Eastern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Laos.
People & society
The population of Laos is around 7.6M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Lao, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Laos is structured as a one-party socialist republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Vientiane, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Vientiane and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Laos shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Laos through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Vientiane, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +856, and clocks are set to the ICT (UTC+7) time zone. ISO standards identify Laos as LA (alpha-2) and LAO (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇱🇦, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Vientiane | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | South-Eastern Asia | — |
| Population | 7.6M | people |
| Area | 236,800 | km² |
| Currency | Lao Kip (LAK) | — |
| Calling code | +856 | international dialling |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | standard time |
| Government type | One-party socialist republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | LA | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | LAO | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 18 | degrees |
| Longitude | 105 | degrees |
Did you know?
Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in history — more ordnance was dropped on it during the Vietnam War than on all of Europe in WWII.
