As with most Southeast Asian Nations, humans have inhabited the region in and around Laos for over 10,0000 years. The area was not unified until Luang Prabang became the capital of the unified Muang People in the 1300's. In the 16th Century, the Laotian kingdoms in Luang Prabang and Vien Chan were unified under one king, and ruled from the new capital Vientiane. By the 1700's Laos became a major trading empire but that all came to an end when the country was divided into three. As a result, much of what is now Laos was invaded and occupied by Thailand. The Thai (Siam) eventually gave control of the territory to the French and by 1893, Laos became a colony of France. During World War II, the Japanese invaded the area and when the war ended, Laos fought for and eventually won its independence from France by the 1953. In 1989, when much of the communist world was reforming their economies, Laos decided to become a CapCom nation and adopted a market economy. Today they boast being the battery of Southeast Asia, as they sell hydropower from 10 dams, to many of their neighbors.