Ibb is located on the southwestern side of the escarpment of the Yemen Highlands, with dramatic drops to Ta'izz city and the Tihama coastline.

Owing to the way in which it captures the upper-level southwestern monsoonal flow during the months from April to October, Ibb governorate is the wettest place in Arabia.

Qat is particularly important, but wheat, barley, sesame and sorghum are the major sources of food for most people outside Ibb city.

This sophisticated agriculture allows Ibb to support an extremely dense rural population, with densities of up to 500 people/km² common in the wettest areas.

It is also characterized by a mild climate in different days of the year and large quantities of the rain during the winter.