Mueang Phitsanulok (, ) is the capital district (amphoe mueang) of Phitsanulok province, lower northern region of Thailand. History Mueang Phitsanulok was the first class city in the northern part of Ayutthaya kingdom until the end of the kingdom in 1767. Also in the reign of King Taksin the Great, Phitsanulok was the first class city. In the Thesaphiban administrative reforms of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) the city became the center of monthon Phitsanulok. Also during these reforms the district was created in 1898. Luang Udom Khet Borihan became the first district head officer. Geography Location Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Phrom Phiram, Wat Bot, Wang Thong, Bang Krathum and Bang Rakam of Phitsanulok province. Topography Mueang Phitsanulok lies within the Nan Basin, although the district's western border with Bang Rakam district is essentially the boundary between the Nan Basin and the Yom Basin as well. The distinction between the basins is blurry in this region, as the terrain is flat, and residents have diverted much of the water flow for agriculture over the years. Both basins are part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. The important water resource is the Nan River, and the Khwae Noi River also flows through the district. Climate Nature Forest area is , approximately 6.8 percent of the total area of the district. Not to far away is Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, . Religion As of 2019 the population of Mueang Phitsanulok district was 95 percent Buddhist with some active 83 Buddhist temples (Wats) and 26 samnak song (houses of monks that are not officially registered). There are 11 Christian churches in Mueang Phitsanulok District and muslims have their Masjid Abubak Pakistan mosque. Administration Provincial government The district is divided into 20 subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 173 villages (mubans). Local government Phitsanulok is a city municipality (thesaban nakhon) which covers tambon Nai Mueang. Aranyik is a town municipality (thesaban mueang). Hua Ro, Tha Thong, Ban Khlong, Phlai Chumphon and Ban Mai are Subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). Ban Mai covers parts of tambons Wang Nam Khu and Wat Phrik. There are further 14 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon). Demography Population Mueang Phitsanulok district is with 291,311 people the most densely populated district of Phitsanulok Province. The other eight districts have a total population of 276,936 people. Urban area Urban population in Mueang Phitsanulok district is 158,534