The surrounding landscape is dominated by low-lying hills and slopes; much of the built town and residential areas are located in flatter land between the heights.

The north of the town borders onto Uradome Beach, though much of the rest of the coast consists of rough rocky outcrops and small inlets and bays.

Iwami District, Tottori was established after the Meiji restoration and divided into several villages with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1,1896.

Iwami has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of twelve members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tottori 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

JR West - San'in Main Line Iwami served as the model for the fictional town of Iwatobi, the setting for the anime series Free!.