Countries Starting with L
How many countries starting with letter L? There are 9 countries that start with the letter “L.” Here is a detailed description of each:
1. Laos
Laos, a landlocked nation in Southeast Asia, is traversed by the Mekong River and known for mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements, and Buddhist monasteries. Vientiane, the capital, is the site of the That Luang monument, where a reliquary reportedly houses the Buddha’s breastbone, and the Patuxai war memorial. The country’s rich history is influenced by Theravada Buddhism and evident in its cultural festivals and temple architecture. Laos remains one of the few communist states in the world, and its economy is rapidly developing with increased foreign investments in energy and tourism, although it still remains one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia.
- Continent: Asia
- Capital: Vientiane
- Largest City: Vientiane
- Population: Approximately 7.2 million
- Area: 236,800 square kilometers
- Official Language: Lao
- Currency: Lao kip (LAK)
- Political System: One-party socialist republic
2. Latvia
Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, one of the three Baltic states. It is bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus, and has a maritime border with Sweden. Latvia has over 1,900 lakes and is known for its rich heritage and extensive forests. Its capital, Riga, known for its wooden buildings, art nouveau architecture, and medieval Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Latvia is a democratic parliamentary republic and has made significant economic progress since its independence from the Soviet Union, joining both the European Union and NATO in 2004.
- Continent: Europe
- Capital: Riga
- Largest City: Riga
- Population: Approximately 1.9 million
- Area: 64,589 square kilometers
- Official Language: Latvian
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Political System: Parliamentary republic
3. Lebanon
Lebanon is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and it is known for its diverse landscape that mirrors its social and religious diversity. Despite its small size, Lebanon’s cultural history is renowned, influenced by many civilizations including the Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Ottoman Empires. Beirut, its capital, was known as the “Paris of the Middle East” before the civil war of 1975-1990. Today, Lebanon is rebuilding its economy and infrastructure despite political instability and regional conflicts, which have significantly impacted its development.
- Continent: Asia
- Capital: Beirut
- Largest City: Beirut
- Population: Approximately 6.8 million
- Area: 10,452 square kilometers
- Official Language: Arabic
- Currency: Lebanese pound (LBP)
- Political System: Parliamentary republic
4. Lesotho
Lesotho, an enclave country, is completely surrounded by South Africa. It is the only independent state lying entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation; its lowest point is 1,400 meters, the highest in the world. Known as the “Kingdom in the Sky,” Lesotho’s geography is characterized by high mountains and narrow plateaus. It relies heavily on a single economic activity, textiles, and a substantial amount of international aid. Despite political instability and issues such as high poverty rates and HIV/AIDS prevalence, Lesotho maintains its vibrant culture, with traditional music and dance playing a significant role in community life.
- Continent: Africa
- Capital: Maseru
- Largest City: Maseru
- Population: Approximately 2.1 million
- Area: 30,355 square kilometers
- Official Language: Sesotho, English
- Currency: Lesotho loti (LSL), South African rand (ZAR)
- Political System: Constitutional monarchy
5. Liberia
Liberia, located on the West African coast, was founded in the 19th century by freed slaves from the United States. It is known for its dense forests contributing to a significant portion of West Africa’s remaining rainforest. Liberia’s history is marred by civil war and instability, but it has been on a path to recovery since the early 2000s under the leadership of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first elected female head of state in Africa. Despite its rich natural resources, Liberia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, struggling with low life expectancy and high rates of infant mortality.
- Continent: Africa
- Capital: Monrovia
- Largest City: Monrovia
- Population: Approximately 5 million
- Area: 111,369 square kilometers
- Official Language: English
- Currency: Liberian dollar (LRD)
- Political System: Presidential republic
6. Libya
Libya is located in the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. Known for its vast oil reserves, Libya was under the erratic leadership of Muammar Gaddafi until his overthrow in 2011. Since then, the country has been in a state of ongoing conflict and political instability, with various factions and governments claiming authority. Libya’s rich historical sites, like those of the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna, face threats due to the ongoing conflict.
- Continent: Africa
- Capital: Tripoli
- Largest City: Tripoli
- Population: Approximately 6.8 million
- Area: 1,759,541 square kilometers
- Official Language: Arabic
- Currency: Libyan dinar (LYD)
- Political System: Provisional government
7. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a German-speaking microstate situated between Switzerland and Austria. Known for its medieval castles, alpine landscapes, and villages linked by a network of trails, the country is the richest in the world by GDP per capita, thanks to its robust financial services sector. Despite its small size, it has a strong industrial base, and its political stability is ensured by the hereditary monarchy that has governed the country since 1719. Liechtenstein does not have an airport, and its residents use those in nearby Switzerland or Austria.
- Continent: Europe
- Capital: Vaduz
- Largest City: Schaan
- Population: Approximately 39,000
- Area: 160 square kilometers
- Official Language: German
- Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
- Political System: Constitutional monarchy
8. Lithuania
Lithuania, the southernmost of the three Baltic states, lies along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, across from Sweden and Denmark. It features a mixture of both modern and historical architecture, especially in Vilnius, the capital, which is known for its medieval Old Town. Since its independence from Soviet rule in 1990, Lithuania has rapidly modernized and was one of the first Eastern European countries to join the European Union. Today, the country has a robust, diversified economy that includes information technology, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. Lithuania is also a member of NATO and actively seeks to reinforce its security and international partnerships.
- Continent: Europe
- Capital: Vilnius
- Largest City: Vilnius
- Population: Approximately 2.8 million
- Area: 65,300 square kilometers
- Official Language: Lithuanian
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Political System: Parliamentary republic
9. Luxembourg
Luxembourg, one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe, is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south. Its capital, Luxembourg City, is famed for its fortified medieval old town perched on sheer cliffs. Luxembourg’s stable, high-income economy features strong sectors in banking, telecommunications, and manufacturing. The country has one of the highest GDP per capita worldwide. Politically, it is a representative democracy with a constitutional monarch, known for its long-standing political stability.
- Continent: Europe
- Capital: Luxembourg City
- Largest City: Luxembourg City
- Population: Approximately 634,000
- Area: 2,586 square kilometers
- Official Language: Luxembourgish, French, German
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Political System: Constitutional monarchy