The municipality forms the entire northwesterly corner of the province.

The seat of the municipality, Steenwijk, with a population of about 17,100, is situated on the A32 motorway (Zwolle – Meppel – Leeuwarden) and has a railway station on the line connecting those same cities.

Many smaller trading and industrial enterprises are housed here, as well as a hospital and some secondary schools.

All over the area, partially being below sea level, the soil is somewhat swampy.

However, the wetlands also have an advantage: many nature- or water sports-loving tourists come to the municipality.