Laos is divided into 17 provinces (''khoueng'') and one prefecture (''kampheng nakhon''), which includes the capital city Vientiane (''Nakhon Louang Viangchan''). A new province, Xaisomboun Province, was established on 13 December 2013. Provinces are further divided into districts (''muang'') and then villages (''ban''). An "urban" village is essentially a town.