[6] Sør-Rana encompassed an area on both sides of the middle section of the Ranfjorden around where the Sørfjorden and Elsfjorden branch off the main fjord.

[10] During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee.

The name of the river is probably derived from the word raðr which means "quick", "fast", or "rapid".

[11][12] The highest point in the municipality was the 1,915.75-metre (6,285.3 ft) tall mountain Oksskolten.

[1] Sør-Rana encompassed an area on both sides of the middle section of the Ranfjorden around where the Sørfjorden and Elsfjorden branch off the main fjord.

The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Sør-Rana was made up of 15 representatives that were elected to four year terms.