Nan, Thailand

Nan City is situated in the Nan River basin at an elevation of 204 meters (699 feet). The city is located on the right (west) bank of the Nan River and consists largely of river plains surrounded by mountains. ==History==

Nan for centuries was a separate, autonomous kingdom with few relationships with the outside world. There is evidence of prehistoric habitation, but it wasn't until several small mueang united to form Nanthaburi on the Nan River in the mid-14th century, contemporaneously with the creation of Luang Prabang and the Lan Xang (Million Elephants) kingdom in Laos, that the city became notable. Associated with the Sukhothai Kingdom, the mueang took the title Wara Nakhon and played a significant part in the development of early Thai nationalism. By the end of the 14th century Nan was one of the nine northern Thai-Lao principalities that formed Lanna. The city-state flourished throughout the 15th century under the name Chiang Klang ('middle city'), a reference to its position roughly midway between Chiang Mai ('new city') and Chiang Thong ('golden city'), today's Luang Prabang). The Burmese took control of the kingdom in 1558 and deported many of the inhabitants to Burma as slaves; the city was deserted until northern Thailand was retaken from the Burmese in 1786. The local dynasty then regained local sovereignty and it remained semi-autonomous until 1931 when Nan finally accepted full Bangkok dominion. Part of its territory had been annexed to Laos by the French in the late-19th century. Parts of the old city wall and several early wats dating from the Lanna period can be seen in contemporary Nan. The city's wats are distinctive; some temple structures show Lanna influence, while others belong to the Thai Lue legacy brought from Xishuangbanna in China, where the Thai Lue people originated. ==Climate==

The climate is characterized by hot and humid summers and cool winters. It is influenced by the southwest monsoon, bringing moisture and heavy rainfall from May to September. The northeast monsoon brings cooler temperatures from October to February, while the southeast monsoon brings hot weather from March to April. The surrounding topography consists of valleys and steep mountains, with mountain ranges running north-south. This north-south orientation allows the mountaintops to fully absorb high-pressure systems from China during winter. Conversely, the north-south orientation acts as a barrier against easterly monsoons. Furthermore, there is a significant difference in elevation between mountaintops and sea level. These factors result in very hot daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures due to downdrafts from the mountain winds into the valleys. }} == Culture ==

Wat Phumin is the city's most well-known wat. It is located near the Nan National Museum. The fifteenth century Wat Phra That Khao Noi overlooks the city and the golden Phra Buddha Maha Udom Mongkhon Nanthaburi, Sri Nan is enshrined there. The city has a lak muang (city pillar), Wat Ming Mueang, at the center of the city. ==Gallery==

File:Wat Phra That Khao Noi.jpg|The standing Buddha of Wat Phra That Khao Noi overlooks Nan File:2013 Wat Phumin Nan.jpg|Wat Phumin File:Peinture murale Wat Phumin, Nan.JPG|Murals of Wat Phumin File:Wat Phra That Chang Kham, Nan.jpg|Wat Phra That Chang Kham File:Nan wat chang kham.jpg|Gilded elephant heads of the chedi, Wat Phra That Chang Kham File:Wat Phaya Wat 2014 g.jpg|Hariphunchai-style chedi, Wat Phaya Wat == References ==