[3] The uplands lie in the cool continental climate zone, characterised by large fluctuations in seasonal temperatures and generally little rainfall.

The uplands run for approximately 800 kilometres (500 mi) in a southwest-northeasterly direction from Volgograd to Kazan.

The landscape on the Volga Uplands is hilly, and several rivers have cut into it, such as the Khopyor, Medveditsa and the Sura.

The Volga–Don Canal cuts through the lowlands between the Volga Uplands to the north and the adjacent Yergeni Hills to the south.

[4] The hill ranges along the Volga banks are traditionally called mountains (горы), despite being of low height.