Bangkok, Thailand

The city of Bangkok has served as the capital of Thailand for more than 240 years. Situated on the Cho Phraya River delta, the city experienced rapid growth from the 1960s through the 1990s, its population increasing from 2.1 million to 5.9 million during those 30 years. By 2000, its official population had reached 6.3 million, although the actual number of residents was much higher. With growth came a multitude of environmental problems. To its credit, Bangkok has taken these problems head-on and for its efforts has garnered recognition as one of the world's greenest cities. In 2007, Bangkok was included on the list of Fifteen Greenest Cities in the World by Grist, a well-regarded environmental nonprofit organization. The following year it was awarded the ...