The seat was Hongnong county, near the strategic Hangu Pass.
It administered 11 counties: Hongnong (弘農), Lushi (盧氏), Shan (陝), Yiyang (宜陽), Mianchi (黽池), Danshui (丹水), Xin'an (新安), Shang (商), Xi (析), Luhun (陸渾), Shangluo (上雒).
In 607, Guo Prefecture (虢州, modern Lingbao, Henan) was renamed Hongnong Commandery.
[3] In 617, Shan Commandery was formed from the northern part of Hongnong.
In Tang dynasty, Hongnong Commandery became an alternative name of Guo.