Nakhon Phanom Province
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Nakhon Phanom นครพนม |
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| Province | ||
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 Map of Thailand highlighting Nakhon Phanom Province |
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| Country |
 Thailand
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| Capital | Nakhon Phanom town | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Somchai Witdamrong (since October 2015) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5,512.7 km2 (2,128.5 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | Ranked 39th | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 713,341 | |
| • Rank | Ranked 33rd | |
| • Density rank | Ranked 35th | |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-48 | |
Nakhon Phanom (Thai: นครพนม) is one of the northeastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, and Bueng Kan. To the northeast it borders Khammouan of Laos.
The province, in the Mekong River valley, is mostly plains. The northern part of the province has a more upland, forest-covered character. The main river in the northern part is the Songkhram River with the smaller Oun River. The southern part is flatter with the Kum River as its only notable watercourse. The provincial capital, the city of Nakhon Phanom, is on the banks of the Mekong.
Phu Lang Ka National Park covers 50 km² of forests and hills, and includes the Tat Kham and Tat Pho waterfalls as its most popular attractions. Flowers such as the Lady Slipper Orchid and diverse wildlife are found in the park.
The name Nakhon Phanom, meaning "city of mountains", was given to the city by King Rama I. There are no mountains within Nakhon Phanom itself, the limestone mountains being concentrated in the city of Thakhek in Laos on the other side of the Mekong River. Nakhon Phanom is more accurately described as a city where the mountains can be seen.
The area had been long settled by Lao people and belonged to the Lan Xang kingdom. After it came under the control of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, the population remained predominantly Lao speaking. At first it was known as Si Khottrabun, and during the reign of King Rama I was called Marukkhanakhon.
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