The western reaches of the county are high and mountainous, while the east is a low-lying plain.

The climate is generally continental, but is moderated by foehn winds blowing from the mountains.

Kowŏn county is divided into 1 ŭp (town), 1 rodongjagu (workers' district) and 18 ri (villages): Agriculture is the predominant local industry.

There are deposits of limestone in the county, and mining and construction-materials manufacturing also contribute to the local economy.

The P'yŏngra and Kangwŏn lines of the Korean State Railway run through the county.