At 20,736 square kilometres (8,006 sq mi) it is the country's largest province by area, has a population of approximately 2.6 million, and generates about 250 billion baht in GDP, the highest in Isan.

[5] Neighbouring provinces are (clockwise, from north) Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Lopburi.

The province is at the west end of the Khorat Plateau, separated from the Chao Phraya river valley by the Phetchabun and Dong Phaya Yen mountain ranges.

The area around Khorat was already an important centre in the times of the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as can be seen by the temple ruins in Phimai historical park.

[7] A new walled city with a surrounding moat, designated as Nakhon Ratchasima, was built in the 17th century by order of the King Narai, as the easternmost "command post", guarding the kingdom's border.

Nakhon Ratchasima continued this duty during the Bangkok Period, although it was briefly seized during Lao rebellion (1826–1828) in 1826, in the reign of King Rama III of Siam.

In the late-19th century, the railroad reached Khorat and it became the junction of two main rail lines in the northeastern, Isan, region.

A monument to Thao Suranari (real name: Khunying Mo; 1771–1852) stands in front of the old Pratu Chumphon gate.

Also called "The Great Heroine of Khorat", Kunying Mo was the wife of the Siamese-appointed deputy governor of Nakhon Ratchasima during the reign of King Rama III.

In 1826, Khunying Mo managed to repel the Laotian army led by Prince Anouvong of Vientiane who tried to reinstate control over the Khorat plateau.

King Rama III conferred the title of Thao Suranari on Khunying Mo, as well as additional ones honouring her bravery.

The provincial motto is "Land of brave women, fine silk material, Khorat rice noodles, Phimai Historical Park, and Dan Kwian ceramics".

[8] As of 26 November 2019 there are:[9] one Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administration Organisation (ongkan borihan suan changwat) and 90 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province.

A new motorway connecting Khorat to Bangkok is under construction in 2016 and will reduce travel time on the 250 kilometre journey to just over two hours.

Genuine Korat cats have a heart-shaped face when viewed from any angle and shorter grey hair with silver tips.