The Province of Nuoro, with its 100 towns and a population of 268.000 inhabitants (Nuoro about 38.000), spreads throughout the central part of Sardinia. To the north it borders on the Province of Sassari, to the south west on the Province of Oristano and to the south on the Province of Cagliari. The Province borders on sea on westward and eastward.

Its territory includes plains, plateaux, hills, the island's highest mountain (Punta Lamarmora) and deepest valleys as well as the historic area called Barbagie, the well known coast of Gulf of Orosei, with wonderful shores and cliffs, the karst phenomena created the Grottoes of Sa Oche and Su Bentu, open only to speleologists while the Grottoes of Ispinigoli in Dorgali and of Murmuri in Ulassai are open to all. On the west coast the Province's territory sees the Sea of Sardinia with the nice coast of Bosa, crossed by river Temo.

The Province is rich of archaeological sites, they are often well-preserved and varied in their distribution and typology: the giant's tomb in Dorgali and Borore, the domus de janas in Macomer, Baunei, Orani, Lodine and Oniferi, the nuragic temple in Orune and Bitti, dolmen all over the territory, standing stones in Macomer, Nuraghe Arrubiu in Orroli and many others.

In the territory of the Province runs the Tirso, the main Sardinian river, as well as Tirso and Flumendosa, Cedrino and other little rivers which with their dams make Flumendosa and Mulargia lake.

The climate is temperate, with differences of temperature between coast and inner areas of the island, with colder and rainier winter and fresher summer in the hinterland.

The province has these following sub regions: Barbagie (Belvì, Seulo, Ollolai), Mandrolisai, Sarcidano, Ogliastra, Baronie, Marghine and Planargia.