Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season
(December to April)
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 : 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 54% other : 40% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,250 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water