A region is located in the North-east part of the Republic of Kazakhstan and borders with the regions of the Russian Federation in the North and East, in the South — with Abai and Karagandy, in the West – with Akmola and North Kazakhstan regions. The region is located on the shore of the large Irtysh River. The region occupies one of the leading places in the mineral resource complex of the country. The major cities of the region are Pavlodar, Ekibastuz, Bayanaul and Aksu.