The administrative centre of the municipality was the village of Svortland, where Bremnes Church is located.

The 125-square-kilometre (48 sq mi) municipality covered the northern and western half of the island of Bømlo as well as the many small, surrounding islets.

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee.

It is a name that is common in Western Norway, referring to places that are highly exposed to the sea.

[6] The municipal council (Heradsstyre) of Bremnes was made up of 23 representatives that were elected to four year terms.