[2] Its administrative capital is the urban area of Jember, which with 366,932 inhabitants in mid 2023 is the third largest urban area in East Java province (after Surabaya and Malang) but does not have municipality or city status as it is split between three separate administrative districts (kecamatan).

Jember is famous for its tobacco farms and traditional food called tape which is made of fermented cassava.

It shares its borders with the regencies of Lumajang (to the west), Probolinggo, Bondowoso and Situbondo (to the north), and Banyuwangi (to the east).

Most of its population are Javanese and Madurese people, with a small percentage of ethnic Chinese, Balinese, Arabic and Indian.

Many citizen speak Indonesian for official and business purposes only, and to communicate with non-Javanese or non-Madurese people.

High jet fuel prices and a lack of demand make Notohadinegoro Airport unprofitable for domestic airlines.