Nakhon Sawan literally means "Heavenly City". The city is the capital of Nakhon Sawan Province, and covers the complete subdistrict of Pak Nam Pho and parts of Khwae Yai, Nakhon Sawan Tok, Nakhon Sawan Ok and Wat Sai, all of Mueang Nakhon Sawan district. As of 2006 it has a population of 93,141.
Nakhon Sawan is about 240 km north of Bangkok, and marks the point of confluence of two of Thailand major rivers, the Ping and the Nan. These converge in Nakhon Sawan to form the Mae Nam Chao Phraya which flows south to Bangkok and out into the Gulf of Thailand.
It is located in a valley, thus resulting in some of the highest overnight lows in the country, often reaching 33°C in the summer, and up to 43°C in the day.
Because of its strategic location, Nakhon Sawan has been a major inland port town and major trading centre for paddy of the country.