Britannica Student Encyclopedia - 2010

player uses a laser to read the code and

turn it back into pictures and sound. A

digital video recorder (DVR) stores the

number code on a metal disk inside a

device called a hard drive. Unlike other

video-recording devices, a DVR can

show a TV program even while it is still

being recorded.

History

The first successful videotape recorder

was introduced in 1956. It was very

expensive and was used mainly by TV

broadcasters. From then on, recorded

TV shows almost completely replaced

live broadcasts. VCRs became common

in homes starting in the 1970s. Camcorders

that used videotape appeared in

the early 1980s.

Digital video recording is a newer technology.

DVDs and digital camcorders

were introduced in the mid-1990s.

Recordable DVDs and DVRs appeared

a few years later. By the early 21st century

DVDs had mostly replaced videocassettes.

..More to explore

Camera • Laser • Movie • Television

Vienna

Population

(2007

estimate), city,

1,664,150;

urban area,

1,954,960

Vienna is the capital of Austria, a country

in central Europe. The city lies on

the Danube River. It is Austria’s largest

city. It is also the country’s center of

industry, trade, and, especially, culture.

For centuries Vienna has been one of the

world capitals of music. Operas and

classical music concerts have played a

major part in city life. Many great

composers—including Ludwig van

Beethoven,Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,

and Johannes Brahms—have lived in

Vienna. The city is home to a worldfamous

orchestra, opera house, and

boys’ choir.

Vienna is famous for its palaces and

other grand buildings. The Hofburg is a

large group of buildings that originally

housed Austria’s royal family. One of its

buildings now houses the Spanish

Riding School and its performing horses

of the Lipizzaner breed.

BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Vienna 81

 

Economy

The economy of Vienna is based on

manufacturing and services such as

trade, banking, and tourism. Many

people in the city work for the

government. Factories in Vienna make

car parts, electrical machinery, and

chemicals. Vienna also has many

companies that develop medical

products, software, and other hightechnology

products.

History

Celtic peoples settled in the Vienna area

in ancient times. In the 1st century AD

the Romans established a military post

at the site. Different groups later controlled

Vienna.

Vienna was the capital of the Hapsburg

family from the late 1200s until the

early 1900s. The Hapsburgs ruled the

Austria area as part of a series of powerful

empires. Vienna was their capital.

During their rule Vienna became one of

the world’s great cities.

The Ottoman Turks attacked Vienna in

1529 and again in 1683. They were

defeated both times.

Hapsburg rule ended in 1918. Vienna

then became the capital of the new

country of Austria.

German troops captured Austria in

1938. DuringWorldWar II Vienna was

often bombed. Foreign troops controlled

the city from 1945 to 1955.

Since then Vienna has again become an

important city. It is one of the headquarters

of the United Nations and other

international organizations. Vienna’s

culture and architecture continue to

attract tourists from all over the world.

#More to explore

Austria • Classical Music • Hapsburgs

• Opera

The Schonbrunn Palace near Vienna was

once the summer home of the Hapsburg

family. The Hapsburgs were the ruling family

of Vienna and Austria for many years.

In addition to its music and history, Vienna

is known for its many coffeehouses. Tourists

and local people alike go to the coffeehouses

to eat, drink, read, or visit with

friends.

82 Vienna BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA

 

Vientiane

Population

(2003

estimate), city,

194,200;

(2005

estimate), urban

area, 702,000

Vientiane is the capital of Laos, a country

in Southeast Asia. It is the country’s

largest city by far. It lies on the Mekong

River, which is a major transportation

route. Vientiane is the main port for

shipping goods into Laos.

Laos is a poor country with little industry.

Vientiane is the country’s center of

business. It is also one of the main

manufacturing areas. Tourism is also

slowly becoming part of Vientiane’s

economy.

Vientiane was founded in the late

1200s. It became the capital of the Lao

kingdom in the 1500s. In 1778 Siam—

which is now the country of Thailand—

took control of Vientiane.

France controlled Laos from the late

1800s until the 1950s. Vientiane was

the capital of Laos during French rule.

In the 1950s France’s colonies in Asia

fought for independence. Many groups

also fought for control of Vientiane. In

1954 Laos became an independent

country. Vientiane remained its capital.

..More to explore

Laos • Mekong River

That Luang is a Buddhist religious building in Vientiane, Laos.

BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Vientiane 83

 

Vietnam

The Asian country of Vietnam split into

northern and southern parts in 1954.

After the long VietnamWar, the two

parts of Vietnam reunited in 1976. Vietnam’s

capital is Hanoi.

Geography

Vietnam is a long, narrow country in

Southeast Asia. It shares borders with

China, Laos, and Cambodia. The South

China Sea lies to the east and south. The

Gulf of Tonkin lies to the northeast, and