Geography of Laos
Location
Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic Coordinates
18 00 N, 105 00 E
Geographical Area
Land
230,800 Sq Km.
Water
6,000 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
5,083 Km.
Border Countries
Myanmar
235 Km.
Cambodia
541 Km.
China
423 Km.
Thailand
1,754 Km.
Vietnam
2,130 Km.
Length of Coastline
Unknown
Terrain
Mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Mekong River 70 m
Highest Point
Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural Resources
Timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land Use
Arable Land
4%
Permanent Crops
0%
Other
96%
Irrigated Land
1,750 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Floods and droughts
Environmental Issues
Unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water