This county lies in the lovely central part of the westernmost Central Catalan Depression at an average altitude of 350 metres. It is bordered by La Noguera, El Pla d'Urgell, Les Garrigues, La Conca de Barberà and La Segarra. Three different kinds of landscapes can be distinguished here: the Plain of Urgell, the coasts of Segarra and the Ribera (riverside) of Sió. The Mediterranean-Continental climate is responsible for tremendous temperature contrasts between winter and summer.

The local inhabitants work in agriculture, industry and services in more or less equal proportions. The Urgell canal, built between 1852 and 1862, transformed the barren lands of L'Urgell into one of most productive areas in the country. Industry is dominated by the metallurgy sector, and with regard to services, the county has always been characterised by its commercial sector thanks to its position at a strategic crossroads.

The 20 municipalities that make up the county are economically and socially connected to Tàrrega, the county capital, which holds a market every Monday. Other major towns are Agramunt, with a Wednesday market, and Bellpuig, which has a poultry and livestock market on Tuesdays.

History has left its mark on the county, which in addition to its natural attractions is home to Iberian settlements in Tronabous, Tàrrega and other spots, beautiful Romanesque and Gothic buildings in Vallbona de les Monges, Agramunt, Verdú and Vilagrassa, and Renaissance houses in Bellpuig. It is a crossroads for road and rail traffic between Barcelona and Zaragoza, Tarragona and Andorra.