Harlingerode lies between 190 and 250 m above sea level (NHN), increasing in height in southern direction.

The Langenberg in the south is the most dominant landmark with its height of up to 304 m. The town is impenetrated by the Hurle, a tributary of the Oker.

The demand of housing space owing to the immigration of mineworkers caused to rebuild the abandoned village Göttingerode south of the main town in the same year.

During the 1980s, the Bundesautobahn 36 was supposed to be constructed north of Harlingerode, which was later realised as the autobahn-like Bundesstraße 6.

After a drastic decrease of profitability due to falling metal prices, said zinc mill dropped its main processing in 1970 and further secondary activities in 2000.