What is the area of Laos?
Laos covers an area of 236,800 km², making it a medium-sized country in Southeast Asia, slightly smaller than mainland France.
Area and Comparisons
With its 236,800 km², Laos has an area comparable to that of the United Kingdom or Romania. To better put this size in perspective, Laotian territory represents approximately 43% of mainland France's area.
Geographical Position
This area makes Laos the 83rd largest country in the world and the 4th largest in Southeast Asia, behind Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand. The country extends approximately 1,700 km from north to south and 500 km from east to west at its widest point.
Relief and Land Use
Mountains and plateaus occupy nearly 70% of this area, primarily in the north and east of the country. The fertile Mekong plains represent approximately 20% of the territory, concentrating the majority of the Laotian population.