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The arid plain of the Khorat Basin is shown in brown in this satellite image, surrounded by more fertile green land. The Mekong River can be seen in brown along the plateau's eastern edge.

The flooded Mekong River extends across the Isan region.

A map showing the Khorat Plateau in lighter green, showing the paths of the Mun and Chi Rivers as they cross the plateau and join the Mekong River.

Isan is bordered to the east by the Mekong River which also acts as a border between Thailand and Laos.

With its unusually long dry season, Isan's river banks are exposed to the harsh weather until monsoon season floods the land.

The Khorat Plateau has been carved by water and wind erosion over hundreds of thousands of years, creating a hilly landscape.

c. 1892 - "The Plains at Muang Sisket". Isan is mostly made up of the Khorat Plateau, an extensive plain elevated by the movement of the Earth's plates.

The Khorat Plateau forms a large part of the Mekong's watershed, with two of its longest tributaries cutting across it.

Rivers have cut across the flat Isan landscape for millenia, and shaped parts of the plateau into rugged hills.

c. 1892 -"Villages, Khorat Plateau". The Khorat Plateau is the least populated region of Thailand due to its harsh weather and unfertile soils.

The Khorat Basin covers most of the Isan region. This diagram shows the paths of the rivers cutting across the basin and the mountains that border it to the west.

A rice field in Isan. Sticky rice is one of the few crops that grow in this region, as they prefer the poorly drained soil of fields in monsoon season.

The mouth of the Mun River as it joins the Mekong on the edge of Isan.

One of several excavation sites at Ban Non Wat, where a superburial was first discovered in 2002.

Ban Chiang was the first archaeological site to be uncovered in Isan, supposedly by a student who tripped and fell, discovering pots like these.

Prehistoric human remains have been found across Thailand. Many humans were buried with pottery, like those found with this skeleton.

These remains were uncovered in Si Thep Historical Park, and are thought to be over 2,000 years old.

School children are invited to visit the dig at Ban Non Wat. Hundreds of artefacts have been discovered here since 2002.

An example of the beautifully decorated pottery found at Ban Non Wat. This is thought to date back to the Bronze Age.

The remains of an animal, perhaps a dog, found in one of the dig sites in Ban Non Wat.

Around 500 Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age graves have been uncovered in Ban Non Wat alone.

Many of the graves in Ban Non Wat have been found with pots accompanying the bodies.

The decorated remains found in this grave indicate that this may have been an important member of the village.

A map of Ban Non Wat village with the excavation sites marked on. Ban Non Wat is now considered to be one of the richest archaeological sites under current excavation.

Pottery artefacts such as this water buffalo pot dating back to 2300 BC have been found across the Khorat Plateau.

Prehistoric burial sites have been found across Isan, providing clues as to what this region was like thousands of years ago.

Isan culture draws on many aspects of Khmer culture, including the style of their temple architecture.

Water buffalo are one of the few large mammals still living in Isan. They have been used by locals for centuries to help farm the land here.

Growing rice is one of the main industry across Isan. The rice in this paddy has been bundled ready for harvest.

Today, the traditional water buffalo have largely been replaced by machines such as this tractor.

Sticky rice is a staple food across Isan, which is often eaten with very hot chillies.

Isan men playing traditional mor lam instruments.

Ubon Ratchathani is one of the cities in Isan, the least populated region of Thailand.

Water buffalo have been used in agriculture across Isan for centuries, though they are slowly being replaced by machinery.

A mor lam performer in traditional Isan costume.

The Phanom Rung Temple in Isan is the largest Khmer (Cambodian) temple in Thailand.

The Isan region is one of the largest producers of Thai silk, and it colours the mor lam festivals in bright shades.

The flat plains of Isan are covered in rice paddy fields such as this. Sticky rice is the region's main crop.

Jintara Poonlarb is one of the most successful mor lam performers, and has enjoyed international success with this traditional Isan art form.