Capital of Laos: Vientiane — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Laos is Vientiane. Laos sits in Asia, has a population of 7,529,475, and uses the LAK. Official languages include Lao.
Quick facts
- Capital: Vientiane
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~7,529,475
- Area: 236,800 km²
- Population density: 31.8 people per km²
- Official language: Lao
- Currency: LAK
- ISO code: LA
How big is Laos?
By population, Laos ranks 103rd in the world, holding roughly 0.09% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 82nd.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Laos has 31.8 people per square kilometre, which is about 1.9 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Laos is the 32th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Laos in population are Serbia (7,221,365) and Nicaragua (6,948,392).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Romania (238,397 km²) and Ghana (238,533 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Lao is listed as an official language of Laos alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Laos uses the LAK, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Laos
Vientiane sits on the bank of the Mekong, looking across the river at Thailand. The flag shows the same scene: a white moon over a blue river.
The flag of Laos: red, blue and white
🇱🇦 The flag is a wide blue horizontal band between two red bands, with a white disc in the centre. Red stands for those who struggled for independence, blue for the Mekong River and prosperity, and the white disc for the full moon over the Mekong and the unity of the people.
Region and neighbours
Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, with the Mekong River running along much of its western edge. It shares land borders with 5 countries: China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. Laos is landlocked, with no coast on the open ocean.
- China 🇨🇳 — capital Beijing
- Vietnam 🇻🇳 — capital Hanoi
- Cambodia 🇰🇭 — capital Phnom Penh
- Thailand 🇹🇭 — capital Bangkok
- Myanmar 🇲🇲 — capital Naypyidaw
Three facts about Laos
- Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.
- The town of Luang Prabang, with its Buddhist temples and old wooden houses, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Plain of Jars is covered in thousands of ancient stone jars whose exact purpose is still studied, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sources: Wikipedia: Laos, Wikipedia: Flag of Laos, Wikipedia: Vientiane, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Laos
- Asian capitals quiz — match Laos to Vientiane
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Laos flag among its neighbours
- Landlocked countries quiz — Laos has no sea coast
Laos capital quiz
What is the capital of Laos 🇱🇦?
- Phnom Penh
- Singapore
- Vientiane
- Pyongyang
Show answer
Vientiane
What is the capital of Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬?
- Tokyo
- Tashkent
- Beijing
- Bishkek
Show answer
Bishkek
What is the capital of Turkmenistan 🇹🇲?
- Pyongyang
- Bangkok
- Ankara
- Ashgabat
Show answer
Ashgabat
What is the capital of Israel 🇮🇱?
- Tashkent
- Jerusalem
- Kathmandu
- Thimphu
Show answer
Jerusalem
What is the capital of United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪?
- Doha
- Sana'a
- Jakarta
- Abu Dhabi
Show answer
Abu Dhabi
Laos capital quiz tip
Vientiane sits on the Mekong River, directly across the water from Thailand. Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, is the common wrong answer.
Laos is also in the Southeast Asia capitals quiz.
Laos in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Laos belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Laos.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Laos?
The capital of Laos is Vientiane.
What is the population of Laos?
About 7,529,475, making it the 103rd most populous country in the world.
How big is Laos?
236,800 square kilometres, ranking 82nd by land area, at a density of 31.8 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Laos use?
The LAK, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Laos flag?
The flag of Laos is a wide blue horizontal band between two red bands, with a white disc in the centre. Red stands for those who struggled for independence, blue for the Mekong River and prosperity, and the white disc for the full moon over the Mekong and the unity of the people.
Which countries border Laos?
Laos shares land borders with China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.
How can I remember the capital of Laos?
Vientiane sits on the bank of the Mekong, looking across the river at Thailand. The flag shows the same scene: a white moon over a blue river.
More capitals to learn
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