Numerous Palaeolithic and Neolithic remains, as well as cave paintings, have been found in the Termit Massif.

The landscape is primarily Sahelian in the south, merging into the Sahara desert in the north of the region.

[3] Zinder is the regional capital; other major settlements include Alakoss, Albarkaram, Bande, Boune, Dakoussa, Dan-Barto, Dantchiao, Daouche, Dogo-Dogo, Falenko, Gaffati, Gamou, Garagoumsa, Gouchi, Gouna, Goure, Guidiguir, Hamdara, Ichirnawa, Kantche, Kelle, Kolleram, Kourni, Kwaya, Magaria, Malawa, Matameye, Mirriah, Moa, Ollelewa, Sassoumbroum, Tanout, Tenhya, Tesker, Tsaouni, Yaouri and Yekoua.

[5] Zinder was divided into 5 Departments: Of the 27 administrative stations (postes administratifs) of Niger which were set out in a law dated 1 August 2011 to become departments and for which the appointment of prefects on 29 February 2012 completed the conversion, the following 5 are in Zinder region.

[8]The region was the poorest in Niger and had the highest incidence of extreme poverty (60% of the population) according to World Bank data from 2018.