This division is known for its huge reserve of coal, mainly in the districts of Paschim Bardhaman and Birbhum.

The northern and north-western part of the division have rocky undulating topography with laterite soil and is a sort of extension of the Chota Nagpur plateau.

The jute mills are along the banks of the river Hooghly in Tribeni, Bhadreswar, Champdani and Sreerampur Birbhum is a major centre of cottage industries.

Some of the notable forms of cottage industries of Birbhum include textile—especially cotton and locally harvested tussar silk, jute works, batik, kantha stitch, macramé (weaving by knotting threads), leather, pottery and terracotta, solapith, woodcarving, bamboo and cane craft, metal works and tribal crafts.

Rice, the major crop has three varieties – Aus (in autumn), Aman (in winter) and Boro (in summer).

Other than cereals and pulses, cash crops such as mustard, til, jute and potatoes are also grown.

Small presence of tribal population is also found in certain pockets of the division, specially in Birbhum district.