[1] Surselva Region has an area of 1,373.56 square kilometers (530.33 sq mi), with a population of 21,318 as of 31 December 2020.[2].

Its area corresponds exactly to that of its predecessor, Surselva District, but all of its former subdistricts (Kreise) – Disentis, Ilanz, Lumnezia/Lugnez, Ruis and Safien – have politically ceased to exist.

Surselva (literally, 'above the forest') is the name of the valley of the Anterior Rhine in the local (Sursilvan) dialect of Romansh.

A long-distance hike is signposted to follow the full length of the main valley of the Anterior Rhine.

It was replaced with the Surselva Region (the same area but with a simpler political structure) on 1 January 2017 as part of a reorganization of the canton.