The region is located in the southern part of Central Slovakia. It borders with Zilina Region in the North, Prešov Region in the Northeast, Košice Region in the East, Hungary in the South, Nitra Region in the West and Trenčín Region in the Northwest.
Ethnic composition of Banska Bystrica Region consists mainly of Slovaks (83,7%). Hungarians (11,7%) and Romes (2,3%) are the most numerous among other nationalities. Among religious communities the most numerous is Roman Catholic (62,4%). Lutherans (13%) and reformates(1,8%) are less numerous.
Geographically Banska Bystrica Region consists of 13 districts. Banska Bystrica is the administrative centre of the region.
Banska Bystrica Region is located on the territory with foothill and mountainous relief. The ranges of Low Tatras stretch in the North of the region, between the valleys of the rivers Váh and Hron. Mountain Ďumbier (2044 m) is the highest point of the mountain range. It is a very popular place among the fans of mountain hiking. The ranges of the Slovak Ore Mountains stretch from Low Tatras in southeastern direction. Slovak Ore Mountains belong to the Carpathian mountain system. Mountain Stolitsa (1476 м) — the highest point in the Ore Mountains — is also located on the territory of Banska Bystrica Region.
South-Slovak basin stretches on the territory of Banska Bystrica Region along Slovak-Hungarian border. It forms the southern boundary of the mountainous part of Slovakia. Mountainous ranges of Low Tatras, Ore Mountains and Carpathians protect the territory from cold air masses that are coming from the North. As a result, mild climate conditions have formed in the southern part of Banska Bystrica Region. Average air temperature in winter is from -1 to -3 С°, in summer — from +18 to + 22 С°.