Nakhonratchasima (Thai:นครนครราชสีมา, pronounced[náʔkʰɔːn râːt.tɕʰa.sǐː.maː]) or (Khmer: នគររាជសីមា) is one of the four major cities of Isan, Thailand, known as the "Big 4 of Isan". The city is commonly known as Korat (RTGS Khorat, โคราช), a shortened form of its name. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima District. Nakhon Ratchasima is the heart of the Nakhon Ratchasima metropolitan area.