Districts of Laos

Laos is divided into 17 provinces (Lao: ແຂວງ, khoueng) and 1 prefecture (kampheng nakhon), or capital city municipality (ນະຄອນຫຼວງ, nakhon luang). Furthermore, 1 so-called special administrative zone (ເຂດພິເສດ, khet phiset) existed between 1994 and 2006, when it was re-merged into its surrounding provinces (i.e. Vientiane and Xiangkhoang). The Xaisomboun special administrative zone was later recreated as the 17th province. Each province is subdivided into districts (Lao: ເມືອງ, mueang) and then subdivided into villages (Lao: ບ້ານ, baan).