Flags of Countries that Start with L
How many countries beginning with L? There are a total of 9 countries starting with letter L among the 193 countries in the world:
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
Latvia
Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, bordered by Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast. The western border is the Baltic Sea. Riga, the capital, is the largest city in the country and an important cultural, economic, and political hub. Latvia has a history of being ruled by various powers, including the German, Polish, Swedish, and Russian Empires. After gaining independence from the Russian Empire in 1918, Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union during World War II and regained its independence in 1991. Today, Latvia is a member of the European Union and NATO, and its economy is based on services, manufacturing, and agriculture. The country is known for its rich cultural traditions, particularly in music, folk dancing, and festivals. Latvians are proud of their heritage, and Latvian is the official language, although Russian is widely spoken, especially in urban areas. The majority of Latvians practice Christianity, primarily Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism.
Country Facts:
- Location: Northern Europe, Baltic region.
- Bordering Countries: Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus.
- Formal Country Name: Republic of Latvia.
- Capital: Riga.
- Population: Approximately 1.8 million (2024 estimate).
- Language: Latvian (official).
- Currency: Euro (EUR).
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Airports – Public Holidays – Embassies of Latvia – Embassies in Latvia – Import Regulations – Major Trade Partners – Major Imports – Major Exports
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a tiny, landlocked country located in the Alps between Switzerland and Austria. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with an area of just 160 square kilometers and a population of around 40,000. Vaduz, the capital, is also the center of government and the royal family’s residence. Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy, with the Prince of Liechtenstein serving as head of state. The country has a highly developed economy, with banking, finance, and manufacturing (particularly precision instruments and high-quality products) being key sectors. Liechtenstein is known for its low taxes, which has made it a financial haven for businesses and individuals. Despite its small size, the country plays an active role in international affairs, being a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Nations. German is the official language, and Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion. The country has a high standard of living, with one of the highest GDP per capita rates in the world.
Country Facts:
- Location: Central Europe, between Switzerland and Austria.
- Bordering Countries: Switzerland, Austria.
- Formal Country Name: Principality of Liechtenstein.
- Capital: Vaduz.
- Population: Approximately 40,000 (2024 estimate).
- Language: German (official).
- Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF).
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Public Holidays – Embassies of Liechtenstein – Embassies in Liechtenstein – Import Regulations – Major Imports – Major Exports
Lithuania
Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It is bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the west. Vilnius, the capital, is known for its beautiful old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lithuania has a rich history, having been part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, one of the largest and most powerful states in medieval Europe. It was later incorporated into the Russian Empire and gained independence in 1918, only to be occupied by the Soviet Union during World War II. Lithuania regained independence in 1990, becoming the first Soviet republic to do so. The country is now a member of the European Union and NATO. The economy is diverse, with strong industries in manufacturing, agriculture, and services. Lithuanian is the official language, and the majority of the population practices Roman Catholicism. Lithuania is known for its folk music, traditions, and basketball.
Country Facts:
- Location: Northern Europe, on the Baltic Sea.
- Bordering Countries: Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast).
- Formal Country Name: Republic of Lithuania.
- Capital: Vilnius.
- Population: Approximately 2.7 million (2024 estimate).
- Language: Lithuanian (official).
- Currency: Euro (EUR).
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Airports – Public Holidays – Embassies of Lithuania – Embassies in Lithuania – Import Regulations – Major Trade Partners – Major Imports – Major Exports
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a small, landlocked country located in Western Europe, bordered by Belgium to the west, Germany to the east, and France to the south. Luxembourg City, the capital, is a major financial center and one of the wealthiest cities in the world. The country has a long history as a fortress state, with the medieval Castle of Luxembourg being a central landmark. Luxembourg has been independent since 1839 and is a constitutional monarchy, with the Grand Duke serving as the head of state. The country is known for its high standard of living, political stability, and robust economy, which is driven by finance, banking, and technology. Luxembourg has a multilingual population, with Luxembourgish, French, and German being the official languages. Despite its small size, Luxembourg is a founding member of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, and plays a key role in international diplomacy. The country also boasts a rich cultural scene, including museums, theaters, and festivals.
Country Facts:
- Location: Western Europe.
- Bordering Countries: Belgium, Germany, France.
- Formal Country Name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
- Capital: Luxembourg City.
- Population: Approximately 650,000 (2024 estimate).
- Language: Luxembourgish, French, German (official).
- Currency: Euro (EUR).
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Airports – Public Holidays – Embassies of Luxembourg – Embassies in Luxembourg – Import Regulations – Major Trade Partners – Major Imports – Major Exports
Lesotho
Lesotho is a landlocked country completely surrounded by South Africa, located in the southern part of Africa. It is one of the few countries in the world that is entirely situated above 1,000 meters in elevation, with much of its territory being mountainous. The capital, Maseru, is located near the border with South Africa and serves as the political and economic center of the country. Lesotho has a unique history, with its origins as the Kingdom of Basutoland under King Moshoeshoe I, who successfully defended his people from British and Boer colonial incursions in the 19th century. It became a British protectorate and gained independence in 1966. The country has a parliamentary system and a constitutional monarchy, with King Letsie III as the ceremonial head of state. Lesotho’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly livestock farming, as well as manufacturing, especially textiles. While small, Lesotho is known for its cultural traditions, including the Basotho blanket, and its music and dance. The country faces challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and health issues like HIV/AIDS. The official languages are Sesotho and English, and the majority of the population practices Christianity.
Country Facts:
- Location: Southern Africa, landlocked within South Africa.
- Bordering Countries: South Africa.
- Formal Country Name: Kingdom of Lesotho.
- Capital: Maseru.
- Population: Approximately 2.1 million (2024 estimate).
- Language: Sesotho (official), English (official).
- Currency: Lesotho Loti (LSL), South African Rand (ZAR) also accepted.
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Airports – Public Holidays – Embassies of Lesotho – Embassies in Lesotho – Import Regulations – Major Imports – Major Exports
Liberia
Liberia is a country located on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone to the west, Guinea to the north, Côte d’Ivoire to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Monrovia, the capital, is named after U.S. President James Monroe, and it is the largest city in the country. Liberia has a unique history in Africa, as it was founded in the early 19th century by freed African-American slaves from the United States, leading to its nickname as “The Land of Freedom.” Liberia gained independence in 1847, making it the first independent republic in Africa. The country endured two brutal civil wars from 1989 to 2003, which severely damaged its infrastructure and economy. Since the end of the civil war, Liberia has made progress in rebuilding its economy and political system, with the growth of agriculture, particularly rubber and palm oil, as well as mining and services. Liberia has a rich cultural heritage, with over 16 ethnic groups, and a majority of the population practices Christianity. English is the official language.
Country Facts:
- Location: West Africa, on the Atlantic Ocean.
- Bordering Countries: Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire.
- Formal Country Name: Republic of Liberia.
- Capital: Monrovia.
- Population: Approximately 5 million (2024 estimate).
- Language: English (official), indigenous languages.
- Currency: Liberian Dollar (LRD).
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Airports – Public Holidays – Embassies of Liberia – Embassies in Liberia – Import Regulations – Major Imports – Major Exports
Libya
Libya is a country located in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad to the southwest, Niger to the west, and Algeria and Tunisia to the northwest. Tripoli, the capital, is located on the Mediterranean coast and is the largest city in the country. Libya has a rich history, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, and later as part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1951, Libya became the first African country to gain independence in the 20th century. However, after a coup in 1969, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi ruled the country for over four decades, instituting a form of government based on his own interpretation of socialism and Islamic law. Following the Arab Spring in 2011, Gaddafi was overthrown, but the country has since been embroiled in conflict, with multiple factions vying for power. Libya’s economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, but the country faces significant challenges, including instability, economic decline, and a large refugee crisis. The official language is Arabic, and Islam is the dominant religion.
Country Facts:
- Location: North Africa, on the Mediterranean coast.
- Bordering Countries: Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia.
- Formal Country Name: State of Libya.
- Capital: Tripoli.
- Population: Approximately 7 million (2024 estimate).
- Language: Arabic (official).
- Currency: Libyan Dinar (LYD).
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Airports – Public Holidays – Embassies of Libya – Embassies in Libya – Import Regulations – Major Imports – Major Exports
Laos
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by China to the north, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, Thailand to the west, and Myanmar to the northwest. Vientiane, the capital and largest city, is located on the banks of the Mekong River, which forms part of the country’s western border with Thailand. Laos has a rich history that dates back to ancient kingdoms, such as the Lan Xang Kingdom, and later became a French colony. After gaining independence in 1954, Laos experienced periods of political instability, including involvement in the Vietnam War and a communist revolution in 1975, which led to the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The country is predominantly rural and mountainous, known for its beautiful landscapes, including dense forests, waterfalls, and the Mekong River. The economy is based on agriculture, including rice cultivation, as well as hydropower and mining. Although one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, Laos is gradually developing, with growing infrastructure and a tourism industry centered around natural beauty and Buddhist heritage. The majority of the population practices Theravada Buddhism, and Lao is the official language.
Country Facts:
- Location: Southeast Asia, landlocked.
- Bordering Countries: China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar.
- Formal Country Name: Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
- Capital: Vientiane.
- Population: Approximately 7.5 million (2024 estimate).
- Language: Lao (official).
- Currency: Lao Kip (LAK).
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Airports – Public Holidays – Embassies of Laos – Embassies in Laos – Import Regulations – Major Imports – Major Exports
Lebanon
Lebanon is a small country located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south. Beirut, the capital, is a major cultural and financial center in the Middle East, known for its lively atmosphere, rich history, and diverse population. Lebanon has a unique history that blends its ancient Phoenician heritage with influences from various civilizations, including Roman, Ottoman, and French. The country gained independence from France in 1943. Lebanon’s history has been marred by civil war, political instability, and the complexities of its sectarian makeup, which includes significant Christian, Muslim, and Druze communities. The economy is diversified, with key sectors in banking, tourism, agriculture, and services. However, Lebanon has faced challenges such as high public debt, corruption, and economic crises, particularly following the 2019-2020 protests and the Beirut port explosion in 2020. The official language is Arabic, with French and English widely used, especially in business and education.
Country Facts:
- Location: Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East.
- Bordering Countries: Syria, Israel.
- Formal Country Name: Lebanese Republic.
- Capital: Beirut.
- Population: Approximately 6.8 million (2024 estimate).
- Language: Arabic (official), French, English.
- Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP).
Country Facts – State Capital – Population Graph – Airports – Public Holidays – Embassies of Lebanon – Embassies in Lebanon – Import Regulations – Major Trade Partners – Major Imports – Major Exports