It is the biggest commune in the county and is composed of a single village, Poienile de sub Munte.

The commune is located in the northeastern part of Maramureș County, on the border with Ukraine, 60 km (37 mi) east of the city of Sighetu Marmației and 105 km (65 mi) northeast of the county seat, Baia Mare.

The Maramureș Mountains Natural Park is partly located on the territory of the commune.

Obcina [de] is a Ruthenian hilltop settlement perched at about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) on a mountain pass without an access road, where farmers live without machines, electricity, or vehicles.

poiana "light in the forest", of Slavic origin) + de + sub + Munte (< appellative mountain < lat.