The central region has a number of small mountain ranges and peaks. To the north, it is barren with thousands of ponds and bays. Glacial debris is thick on the slopes of the Exploits, Gander and Terra Nova rivers. This soil has allowed rich forests to grow. Wilderness in the central region supports caribou, moose, bears and other fur-bearing mammals.
The climate in the central region is not severe. It is warm in summer and cold in winter. 100cm of precipitation falls per year. A quarter of this falls as snow.
Towns have grown up in the north of this region. These are mostly based on natural resource industries such as mining and forestry. The port of Botwood in Exploits Bay had a population of 3221 in 2001. It serves as an export centre. Gander had a population of 9651 in 2001. This town supports an international airport. Gander is a trade, medical and transportation service centre. Grand Falls–Windsor was built on forestry and supports a paper mill. Grand Falls–Windsor had a population of 13,340 in 2001.