[2] Its neighboring provinces are İzmir to the west, Aydın to the south, Denizli to the southeast, Uşak to the east, Kütahya to the northeast, and Balıkesir to the north.

Mount Sipylus National Park (Spil Dağı Milli Parkı) near the city of Manisa embraces a richly forested area, hot springs, the famous "crying rock" of Niobe, and a Hittite carving of the mother-goddess Cybele.

Sardis, in the present-day municipality of Salihli, was the ancient capital of Lydia, once ruled by King Croesus, who was renowned for his wealth.

The splendid synagogue from the 3rd century is worth visiting, with its elaborate mosaics and artfully carved colored-stone panels.

The province is highly developed in terms of industrial activities, which are concentrated in the largest four centers of Manisa, Turgutlu, Akhisar and Salihli.