The area has been intermittently a tied island and, during modern times, was not surrounded by water until a storm in February 1825, which severed the region from the remainder of Jutland and created a water connection between the North Sea and the western end of the Limfjord.

By area, it is the second-largest island of Denmark after Zealand (excluding Greenland), with a population of 294,424 on 1 January 2020.

The syssel was a medieval sub-division which is regarded as the oldest type of administrative unit in Denmark, having existed since before the Middle Ages.

The land of the North Jutlandic Island was divided into two of these: Thysyssel (including Hanherred) and Vendsyssel.

Ecclesiastically, the North Jutland Islands are the main part of the Diocese of Aalborg.