Real size
How big is Laos really?
229,000 km²
88,400 sq mi · 83rd largest of the 167 here · about the size of Romania
Normal web maps show it about the right size
Laos covers 229,000 km² (88,400 sq mi), about the size of Romania. It sits close to the equator, where normal web maps barely stretch land, so they show it at about its real size, and make countries farther from the equator look bigger than it.
Measured from our map outlines, so official figures can differ by a few percent. Ranks count the 167 countries and territories on these pages: those over 5,000 km², not counting disputed territories.
- Real area
- 229,000 km²
- Size rank
- 83rd of 167
- On a normal web map
- About right
- Latitude
- 19°N
Countries about the same size
- RomaniaAbout the same size
- GhanaAbout the same size
- United KingdomAbout the same size
- UgandaUganda is 1.1 times the size of Laos
- GuineaGuinea is 1.1 times the size of Laos
Laos through history
Borders here have moved many times. Step through our maps, from 2000 BCE to today, to see who ruled this land before, and how big their realms really were.
Open the history map →Browse the eras →
Common questions
- How big is Laos?
- Laos covers about 229,000 km² (88,400 sq mi). It is the 83rd largest of the 167 countries and territories on these pages (those over 5,000 km²).
- Do maps show Laos at the right size?
- Mostly. Laos lies close enough to the equator that a normal web map draws it only about 1.1 times too big, while countries far to the north or south are drawn several times too big.
- Is Laos bigger than Romania?
- They are about the same size: within 5% of each other.