Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
Vientiane serves as the capital and largest city of Laos, situated on the banks of the Mekong River at the border with Thailand.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, located on the Mekong River at the border with Thailand.
As of the 2023 Census, Vientiane had a population of approximately 750,000 people.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2023 Census reported Vientiane's population as 840,000 people, not 750,000.
The name 'Vientiane' is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning 'golden city'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The name 'Vientiane' is derived from Lao 'Viangchan', where 'viang' means 'walled city' and 'chan' (from Sanskrit 'candana') means 'sandalwood', or potentially 'moon'.
The Lao word 'viang' in the name Vientiane translates to 'river'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Lao word 'viang' in the name Vientiane translates to 'walled city', not 'river'.
The word 'chan' in Vientiane exclusively refers to the moon.
Answer: False
Explanation: While 'chan' can refer to the moon, it is primarily derived from the Sanskrit 'candana', meaning 'sandalwood', and thus does not exclusively refer to the moon.
What is Vientiane's primary role in Laos?
Answer: Capital and largest city
Explanation: The source identifies Vientiane as the capital and largest city of Laos.
Where is Vientiane geographically located?
Answer: On the banks of the Mekong River, at the border with Thailand
Explanation: Vientiane is geographically located on the banks of the Mekong River, directly at the border with Thailand.
According to the 2023 Census, what was Vientiane's population?
Answer: 840,000 people
Explanation: The 2023 Census reported Vientiane's population as 840,000 people.
In the name 'Vientiane', what does the Lao word 'viang' mean?
Answer: Walled city
Explanation: The Lao word 'viang' in 'Vientiane' means 'walled city'.
The Lao word 'chan' in 'Vientiane' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'candana', meaning what?
Answer: Sandalwood
Explanation: The Lao word 'chan' in 'Vientiane' is derived from the Sanskrit 'candana', meaning 'sandalwood'.
Vientiane was established as the capital of the Kingdom of Lan Xang in 1354 by Fa Ngum.
Answer: False
Explanation: Fa Ngum founded Lan Xang in 1354, making Vientiane an administrative city, but King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital in 1563.
A Mon inscription from the 9th century CE found at Ban Tha Lat provides archaeological evidence of a Mon presence in the Vientiane area.
Answer: True
Explanation: A Mon inscription from the 9th century CE, discovered at Ban Tha Lat in 1968, serves as archaeological evidence of a Mon presence in the Vientiane region.
Dvaravati city states primarily introduced Mahayana Buddhism to the Mekong region by the 8th century CE.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Dvaravati city states introduced Theravada Buddhism, not Mahayana Buddhism, to the middle Mekong region by the 8th century CE.
Vientiane, referred to as Văn Đan, was an independent kingdom when it invaded Nghe An in 1135.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1135, Vientiane (Văn Đan) was a vassal of the Khmer Empire (Zhenla), not an independent kingdom, when it invaded Nghe An.
King Setthathirath moved the capital of Lan Xang to Vientiane in 1563 primarily to avoid Burmese invasion.
Answer: True
Explanation: King Setthathirath moved the capital to Vientiane in 1563 specifically to protect it from Burmese invasion.
When was Vientiane officially established as the capital of the Kingdom of Lan Xang?
Answer: 1563
Explanation: King Setthathirath officially established Vientiane as the capital of Lan Xang in 1563.
Where was the 9th-century CE Mon inscription, indicating a Mon presence in the Vientiane area, found in 1968?
Answer: Ban Tha Lat
Explanation: The 9th-century CE Mon inscription, providing evidence of Mon presence, was found at Ban Tha Lat in 1968.
Which form of Buddhism did the Dvaravati city states introduce to the middle Mekong region?
Answer: Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lankan missionaries
Explanation: The Dvaravati city states introduced Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lankan missionaries to the middle Mekong region.
According to a Vietnamese inscription from 1159, Vientiane (Văn Đan) was a vassal of which empire when it invaded Nghe An in 1135?
Answer: Khmer Empire (Zhenla)
Explanation: A Vietnamese inscription from 1159 indicates that Vientiane (Văn Đan) was a vassal of the Khmer Empire (Zhenla) when it invaded Nghe An in 1135.
What was the primary reason King Setthathirath moved the capital of Lan Xang to Vientiane in 1563?
Answer: To protect it from Burmese invasion
Explanation: King Setthathirath moved the capital to Vientiane in 1563 primarily to protect it from Burmese invasion.
By 1943, French citizens constituted the majority of Vientiane's population due to colonial policies.
Answer: False
Explanation: By 1943, Vietnamese people, whose migration was encouraged by the French, comprised 53% of Vientiane's population, not French citizens.
The French plan to relocate Vietnamese populations in 1945 was successfully implemented before the Japanese invasion of Indochina.
Answer: False
Explanation: The French plan to relocate Vietnamese populations in 1945 was interrupted by the Japanese invasion of Indochina and thus not successfully implemented.
During World War II, Vientiane was occupied by Japanese forces under the command of Sako Masanori.
Answer: True
Explanation: Vientiane was indeed occupied by Japanese forces during World War II, with Sako Masanori in command.
French forces reoccupied Vientiane in late 1945, shortly after the Japanese surrender.
Answer: False
Explanation: French forces reoccupied Vientiane on April 24, 1946, not in late 1945.
Kong Le's seizure of Vientiane in August 1960 led to a stable, long-term government under Souvanna Phouma.
Answer: False
Explanation: Kong Le's seizure of Vientiane in August 1960 was followed by Phoumi Nosavan's seizure in December of the same year, overthrowing the Phouma Government, indicating an unstable period, not a stable, long-term government.
The Laotian Civil War officially ended in 1974 with a negotiated peace settlement.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Laotian Civil War officially ended on December 2, 1975, with the monarchy forced into exile, not in 1974 with a negotiated peace settlement.
Phoumi Nosavan supported the Souvanna Phouma government in December 1960 during the Laotian Civil War.
Answer: False
Explanation: In December 1960, Phoumi Nosavan seized the capital and overthrew the Phouma Government, indicating opposition rather than support.
A large military parade marked the Pathet Lao's symbolic liberation of Vientiane in 1975.
Answer: False
Explanation: On August 23, 1975, a contingent of 50 Pathet Lao women symbolically liberated the city, not a large military parade.
By 1943, what percentage of Vientiane's population was comprised of Vietnamese people due to French encouragement?
Answer: 53%
Explanation: By 1943, Vietnamese people constituted 53% of Vientiane's population due to French encouragement of migration.
Who commanded the Japanese forces that occupied Vientiane during World War II?
Answer: Sako Masanori
Explanation: Sako Masanori commanded the Japanese forces that occupied Vientiane during World War II.
When did French forces reoccupy Vientiane after World War II?
Answer: April 24, 1946
Explanation: French forces reoccupied Vientiane on April 24, 1946, after World War II.
During the Laotian Civil War, what action did Kong Le take in Vientiane in August 1960?
Answer: He seized the capital and insisted on Souvanna Phouma as prime minister
Explanation: In August 1960, Kong Le seized Vientiane and insisted on Souvanna Phouma as prime minister during the Laotian Civil War.
When did the Laotian Civil War officially end, marked by the monarchy being forced into exile?
Answer: December 2, 1975
Explanation: The Laotian Civil War officially ended on December 2, 1975, with the monarchy forced into exile.
On what date did 50 Pathet Lao women symbolically liberate Vientiane?
Answer: August 23, 1975
Explanation: Fifty Pathet Lao women symbolically liberated Vientiane on August 23, 1975.
Vientiane's record low temperature of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) was recorded in December.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vientiane's record low temperature of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) was recorded in January, not December.
July typically receives the most rainfall in Vientiane, with an average of 340.8 mm.
Answer: False
Explanation: August typically receives the most rainfall in Vientiane, with an average of 340.8 mm, not July.
Vientiane experiences an average annual relative humidity of 90%.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vientiane experiences an average annual relative humidity of 75%, not 90%.
January has the lowest average precipitation in Vientiane.
Answer: False
Explanation: December has the lowest average precipitation in Vientiane, with 5.0 mm, while January's precipitation is not specified as the lowest.
Vientiane experiences an average of 90 precipitation days per year.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vientiane experiences an average of 119 precipitation days per year, not 90.
What is Vientiane's record high temperature, as recorded in April?
Answer: 42.6 °C (108.7 °F)
Explanation: Vientiane's record high temperature, recorded in April, is 42.6 °C (108.7 °F).
Which month typically receives the most rainfall in Vientiane?
Answer: August
Explanation: August typically receives the most rainfall in Vientiane, with an average of 340.8 mm.
What is the average annual relative humidity in Vientiane?
Answer: 75%
Explanation: Vientiane experiences an average annual relative humidity of 75%.
Haw Phra Kaew currently houses the Emerald Buddha, which is a national symbol of Buddhism in Laos.
Answer: False
Explanation: Haw Phra Kaew once housed the Emerald Buddha, but it was relocated to Thailand in the 18th century.
Pha That Luang, a national cultural monument, was originally constructed in the 13th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pha That Luang was originally constructed in 1566 by King Setthathirath, not in the 13th century.
Wat Si Muang temple, built in 1563, stands on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu shrine.
Answer: True
Explanation: Wat Si Muang temple, constructed in 1563, is indeed built upon the ruins of a Khmer Hindu shrine, with visible remnants behind its ordination hall.
The Patuxai memorial monument in Vientiane was completed in 1957.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Patuxai memorial monument was constructed between 1957 and 1968, meaning it was not completed in 1957.
Which significant Buddhist landmark in Vientiane once housed the Emerald Buddha before its relocation to Thailand?
Answer: Haw Phra Kaew
Explanation: Haw Phra Kaew is the significant Buddhist landmark that once housed the Emerald Buddha before its relocation to Thailand.
How tall does Pha That Luang, a national cultural monument in Vientiane, stand?
Answer: 45 meters (148 ft)
Explanation: Pha That Luang, a national cultural monument, stands 45 meters (148 ft) tall.
Wat Si Muang temple, built in 1563, stands on the ruins of what type of ancient structure?
Answer: A Khmer Hindu shrine
Explanation: Wat Si Muang temple, built in 1563, stands on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu shrine.
Who founded Buddha Park, located south of Vientiane, in 1958?
Answer: Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat
Explanation: Buddha Park, located south of Vientiane, was founded in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat.
Which hotel in Vientiane was established in 1932?
Answer: The Settha Palace Hotel
Explanation: The Settha Palace Hotel in Vientiane was established in 1932.
The Patuxai memorial monument in Vientiane was constructed during which period?
Answer: Between 1957 and 1968
Explanation: The Patuxai memorial monument was constructed between 1957 and 1968.
Talat Sao is known in Vientiane as what type of market?
Answer: A morning market
Explanation: Talat Sao is known in Vientiane as a morning market.
The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is a key infrastructure project emphasizing regional connectivity, linking Kunming, China, to Vientiane.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is indeed a key infrastructure project connecting Kunming, China, to Vientiane, emphasizing regional connectivity.
The Vientiane Urban Transport Project (VSUTP) primarily focuses on expanding the city's railway network.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Vientiane Urban Transport Project (VSUTP) primarily focuses on establishing the city's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, not expanding the railway network.
Older taxis in Vientiane are being progressively replaced by newer Chinese-made cars.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source indicates that older taxis in Vientiane are being progressively replaced by newer Chinese-made cars, such as the Soueast Lioncel.
The metre gauge railway link over the first bridge near Vientiane was inaugurated in 2015.
Answer: False
Explanation: The metre gauge railway link over the first bridge near Vientiane was formally inaugurated on March 5, 2009, not in 2015.
Thanaleng Railway Station is planned to become a major passenger hub for regional travel.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of November 2010, Thanaleng Railway Station was planned to be converted into a cargo rail terminal for freight trains, not a major passenger hub.
The Boten-Vientiane railway is a standard gauge railway, measuring 1,435 mm.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Boten-Vientiane railway is indeed a standard gauge railway, measuring 1,435 mm.
Wattay International Airport primarily serves domestic flights within Laos.
Answer: False
Explanation: Wattay International Airport provides international connections to various Asian destinations, indicating it does not primarily serve domestic flights.
The Laos-China Railway (LCR) connects Vientiane to which city in China?
Answer: Kunming
Explanation: The Laos-China Railway (LCR) connects Vientiane to Kunming, China.
What is the gauge of the Boten-Vientiane railway?
Answer: Standard gauge (1,435 mm)
Explanation: The Boten-Vientiane railway is a standard gauge railway, measuring 1,435 mm.
What is the name of the main airport serving Vientiane?
Answer: Wattay International Airport
Explanation: Wattay International Airport is the main airport serving Vientiane.
What was the planned future purpose for Thanaleng Railway Station as of November 2010?
Answer: To convert it into a cargo rail terminal for freight trains
Explanation: As of November 2010, Thanaleng Railway Station was planned to be converted into a cargo rail terminal for freight trains.