Vientiane

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Capital, largest city, and chief port of Laos, lying in the north on the Mekong River, on the border with Thailand; population (2002 est) 189,600, conurbation 528,100. Though the Mekong is navigable only by small vessels, Vientiane's strategic position on one of the main waterways of southeast Asia has helped it to become a centre for government, commerce, and religion for over a millennium. Noted for its pagodas, canals, and houses on stilts, it is situated in a rich agricultural area and is a trading centre for forest products and textiles.

History
In 1563 Vientiane became the capital of Laos due to a threat from Myanmar (then Burma) to the former capital, Luang Prabang. The city was devastated through an attack by the Thais in 1828, but the French made it the capital again in 1899, a status it has retained since.

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