Lao (Italian river)

Lao Mercure
Location
Country	Italy
Physical characteristics
Source	Serra del Prete
• location	Pollino massif, Basilicata
• coordinates	39°58′13″N 16°8′42″E / 39.97028°N 16.14500°E / 39.97028; 16.14500
• elevation	2,181 m (7,156 ft)
Mouth	Tyrrhenian Sea
• location	Scalea, Calabria
• coordinates	39°46′36″N 15°47′39″E / 39.77667°N 15.79417°E / 39.77667; 15.79417
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	51 km (32 mi)
Basin size	594 km2 (229 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	12.1 m3/s (430 cu ft/s)

The Lao (Greek: Λᾶος; Latin: Laus, Laos or Laüs; formerly also Laino) is a river in southern Italy. It rises in the Lucanian Apennines in Basilicata (where it is known as the Mercure) and drains into the Tyrrhenian Sea near Scalea in Calabria.