They are separated by the Olt River valley — the most accessible passage between Transylvania and Muntenia.

The area in the center of the county is well suited for fruit orchards, vineyards, and raising cattle.

The main tourist destinations are: The Vâlcea County Council, renewed at the 2020 Romanian local elections, consists of 32 counsellors, with the following party composition:[5] Vâlcea County has two municipalities, nine towns and 78 communes as follows: Historically, the county was located in the southwestern part of Greater Romania, in the northeast part of the historical region of Oltenia.

From the religious point of view, the population was 99.0% Eastern Orthodox, 0.4% Roman Catholic, 0.2% Jewish, as well as other minorities.

In 1930, the county's urban population was 31,909 inhabitants, comprising 94.8% Romanians, 1.3% Romanies, 1.0% Germans, 0.8% Jews, 0.7% Hungarians, as well as other minorities.