The Vietnam War transformed the sleepy provincial city of Udon Thani into a booming support center for a nearby American airbase. And since the withdrawal of American troops in 1976, it has continued to grow as an industrial and commercial center within the region. Located on an elevated plateau, the province is blessed with numerous forested hills and tributaries, but the Phu Pan mountain ranges and the Songkhram River are the province’s 2 main natural resources. The province’s main attraction is its archeological sites that date back over 5,000 years, particularly the one at Ban Chiang.

Located 564 kilometres from Bangkok, the province is a prime business centre of I-San. It stands the world heritage site for the prehistoric culture of Ban Chiang. It covers an area of 11, 730 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Kumphawapi, Nong Han, Phen, Ban Phue, Ban Dung, Si That, Nam Som, Nong Wua So, Kut Chap, Non Sa-at, Wang Sam Mo, Chai Wan, Nong Saeng, Sang Khom, Thung Fon, Na Yung, Phibun Rak, Ku Kaeo, Prachaksinlapakhom.