# Kingdom of Laos

> former country

**Wikidata**: [Q870055](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q870055)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Laos)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kingdom-of-laos

## Summary
The Kingdom of Laos was a former country and sovereign state that existed from its inception in 1947 until its dissolution in 1975. Located in Southeast Asia with a population of 3.1 million, it was succeeded by the Kingdom of Luang Phrabang and served as the governing body for the Royal Lao Army and Air Force.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** January 1, 1947
- **Dissolution:** January 1, 1975
- **Population:** 3,100,000
- **Classification:** Former country; sovereign state
- **Capital:** Vientiane (established as capital in 1560)
- **Currency:** Lao kip (in use since 1952)
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 17.966666666667, Longitude 102.6
- **Language:** Lao (Kra–Dai language of Southeast Asia)
- **Government:** Royal Lao Government (1953–1975)
- **International Membership:** United Nations

## FAQs
**What were the major cities located within the Kingdom of Laos?**
The kingdom included Vientiane, which served as the capital, and Luang Prabang, a city located in the north central region. Additionally, Pāksē was a notable city within the territory.

**What military forces operated under the Kingdom of Laos?**
The Royal Lao Army was established on July 1, 1949, followed by the Royal Lao Air Force on January 1, 1955. Both units operated under the authority of the kingdom.

**What royal orders and political structures were associated with the kingdom?**
The Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol served as the highest knighthood order, instituted on May 1, 1909. The political structure was defined by the Royal Lao Government, which governed from 1953 to 1975.

## Why It Matters
The Kingdom of Laos represents a critical post-WWII political entity in Southeast Asian history, bridging the gap between the historical Kingdom of Luang Phrabang and the modern state. Its existence defined the geopolitical landscape of the region for nearly three decades, overseeing the establishment of national institutions like the Royal Lao Army and the formalization of the Lao kip currency. The kingdom's dissolution in 1975 marked a pivotal transition in the region's governance.

## Notable For
- Serving as the sovereign state for the Royal Lao Government from 1953 to 1975.
- Maintaining the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol as its highest knighthood order.
- Hosting the United Nations as a member organization during its existence.
- Being the political entity of origin for notable figures such as politician Touby Lyfoung and Prince Sauryavong Savang.

## Body

### History and Political Evolution
The Kingdom of Laos was formally established on January 1, 1947. It succeeded the Kingdom of Luang Phrabang, a former country that had been in existence since January 1, 1707. The governance of the kingdom was administered by the Royal Lao Government, which was founded in 1947 and held authority from 1953 until the kingdom's dissolution in 1975.

The kingdom's status as a sovereign state allowed it to participate in international relations, evidenced by its connection to the United Nations, a global international organization established on October 24, 1945.

### Geography and Demographics
The kingdom was situated in Southeast Asia, centered around the coordinates 17.966666666667 latitude and 102.6 longitude. Its capital was Vientiane, a city that had held capital status since 1560. Other significant population centers included Luang Prabang in the north central region and the city of Pāksē. At the time of its existence, the kingdom had a recorded population of 3,100,000 people.

### Military and National Symbols
The kingdom maintained distinct military forces. The Royal Lao Army was founded on July 1, 1949. Subsequently, the Royal Lao Air Force was established on January 1, 1955. The nation also maintained a prestigious honors system, highlighted by the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol. This knighthood order was created on May 1, 1909, and remained the highest order of the kingdom.

### Economy and Culture
The official currency of the kingdom was the Lao kip, which was introduced in 1952. Culturally, the kingdom was defined by the Lao language, a Kra–Dai language spoken throughout Southeast Asia. The monarchy played a central role in the cultural identity, with historical records such as the "list of monarchs of Laos" documenting the lineage.

### Prominent Figures
Several notable individuals were citizens or associated with the Kingdom of Laos. Political figures included Touby Lyfoung (1917–1979), a Laotian politician, and Phoumi Nosavan (1920–1985), who served as both a politician and a military figure. The royal family was represented by figures such as Prince Sauryavong Savang (1937–2018).

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013