Louangphrabang (pop. 44,244) is a city in Laos. Its name is also spelled Luang Prabang. Until 1975, both Louangphrabang and Vientiane were considered capitals of Laos. Louangphrabang was called the royal capital because it was the site of the king’s palace. In 1975, Communists took control of Laos and abolished the Laotian monarchy. Vientiane then became the country’s only capital.
