Wedged between Gauteng province, Botswana and Free State Province, North West contains some 95% of South Africa's platinum mining industry, some of the biggest and finest cattle ranches in the world, and one of South Africa's top tourist attractions, the spectacular Sun City complex. North West Province is rich in other minerals including gold, granite, fluorspar and diamonds. It is also an agricultural bread basket of South Africa.

The capital of North West is Mafikeng, near the Botswana border. The biggest cities In North West are Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp. Other big towns are Brits and Rustenburg.