[2] The Oka and Volga rivers divided the governorate into two parts that differed significantly in relief, geological structure, soils, and vegetation: the northern was a lowland, and the southern was an upland.

In addition to Nizhny Novgorod, including the cities of Alatyr, Arzamas, Balakhna, Vasilsursk, Gorokhovets, Kurmysh, Yuryevets, Yadrin with adjacent territories.

In the course of Catherine II's administrative reform on September 5, 1779, the Nizhny Novgorod Viceroyalty was established, which included the former Nizhny Novgorod Governorate, as well as parts of the previously formed Ryazan and Vladimir viceroyalties, and a part of the Kazan Governorate.

After the October Revolution of 1917, the Nizhny Novgorod Governorate became part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) formed in 1918.

By a decree of the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee on January 14, 1929, the Governorates were completely abolished.