Its administrative seat and largest town is Sanok, which lies 56 kilometres (35 mi) south of the regional capital Rzeszów.

The only other town in the county is Zagórz, lying 6 km (4 mi) south-east of Sanok.

The county covers an area of 1,225.12 square kilometres (473.0 sq mi).

However, very little of this is arable land; the vast majority consists of permanent grass pasture or rough grazing for herd animals such as sheep and cows.

Although both beef and dairy cattle are raised widely, especially in Odrzechowa, the county is more well known for its sheep farming, and thus lamb is the meat traditionally associated with its cuisine.