Provinces of Laos

Provinces ແຂວງ Khoeng
Category	Unitary state
Location	Lao People's Democratic Republic
Number	17
Populations	98,000 (Xaisomboun) – 1,004,000 (Savannakhét)
Areas	3,920 km2 (1,510 sq mi) (Vientiane) – 21,774 km2 (8,407 sq mi) (Savannakhét)
Government	Marxist-Leninist single party provincial government
Subdivisions	District

Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is divided into 17 provinces (Lao ແຂວງ, pronounced [kʰwɛ̌ːŋ], khwaeng, khoeng, qwang or khoueng) and one prefecture, the Vientiane capital city municipality (ນະຄອນຫຼວງ, nakhon luang, or Na Kone Luang Vientiane). The special administrative zone (ເຂດພິເສດ, khet phiset), Xaisomboun, created in 1994, was dissolved on 13 January 2006. In 2013, parts of the former special administrative zone was reestablished as Xaisomboun province.

Provinces and prefectures of Laos

Location	Name	Capital	Population (2023 census)	Area (km2)	Population density	ISO
	Attapeu province	Samakkhixay District (Attapeu)	153,000	10,320	14	LA-AT
	Bokeo province	Houayxay District (Ban Houayxay)	198,000	6,196	29	LA-BK
	Bolikhamxai province	Pakxan District (Pakxan)	287,000	14,863	18	LA-BL
	Champasak province	Pakse District (Pakse)	706,000	15,415	45	LA-CH
	Houaphanh province	Xam Neua District (Xam Neua)	302,000	16,500	18	LA-HO
	Khammouane province	Thakhek District (Thakhek)	397,000	16,315	24	LA-KH
	Luang Namtha province	Namtha District (Luang Namtha)	182,000	9,325	19	LA-LM
	Luang Prabang province	Luang Prabang (Luang Prabang)	444,000	16,875	26	LA-LP
	Oudomxay province	Xay District (Muang Xay)	313,000	15,370	20	LA-OU
	Phongsaly province	Phongsaly District (Phongsali)	192,000	16,270	11	LA-PH
	Salavan province	Salavan District (Salavan)	410,000	10,691	37	LA-SL
	Savannakhet province	Khanthaboury District (Savannakhet)	1,004,000	21,774	45	LA-SV
	Vientiane province	Phonhong District (Phonhong)	435,000	18,526	23	LA-VI
	Vientiane Prefecture	Vientiane	836,000	3,920	209	LA-VT
	Sainyabuli province	Xayabury District (Sainyabuli)	395,000	16,389	23	LA-XA
	Sekong province	La Mam District (Sekong)	124,000	7,665	15	LA-XE
	Xaisomboun province	Anouvong District (Ban Mouang Cha)	98,000	4,506	19	LA-XS
	Xiangkhouang province	Pek District (Phonsavan)	254,000	15,880	15	LA-XI

Population

The population of each province in 2023 is given in the census data. The population of Laos in 2023 is 6,730,000.

History

In 1989 Vientiane prefecture was split from Vientiane province and the capital of Vientiane province moved from Vientiane to Muang Phôn-Hông. In 1994 Xaisômboun khetphiset (special region) was formed from parts of the Bolikhamxai, Vientiane, and Xiangkhoang provinces. In 2006 Xaisomboun special region was dissolved and the Longsan, Xaysomboun, Phun, and Hom districts added to Vientiane province, while Thathon district was transferred to Xiengkhuang province.

Further divisions

The provinces are then subdivided into districts (muang) and villages (baan).

Geography

The provinces are grouped geographically into 3 strata, North (from Phongsaly to Saiyabouly, Luang Prabang and Xiengkhuang), Central (Vientiane and Bolikhamxay) and South (from Khammuane to Champasack).

See also

• List of provinces of Laos by Human Development Index
• ISO 3166-2:LA

External links

• CityMayors.com article