Thailand has several different geographical regions, some of which correspond to provincial groups. The northern part of the country is mountainous, and the highest point is Doi Inthanon at an altitude of 2,565 meters. In the northeast is Ethan, which consists of Khorat Plateau and in the east is Mekong River. The center of the country is the flat Chao phraya River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Thailand. The south consists of the narrow Kra isthmus, which extends to the Malay Peninsula. Politically, six geographical regions are different from other regions in population, basic resources, natural characteristics and social and economic development level. The diversity of each region is the most striking feature of Thailand's natural environment.