The relief of the region is diverse, mostly mountainous. The area of Gabrovo Region covers some middle parts of the Balkan Mountains and the fore-Balkans, the valleys of the Yantra, Rositza, Vidima, Drianovska rivers as well as several kettles and plateaus, and Gabrovo and Sevlievo heights. The Ruse–Podkova railroad runs through the region crossing the Balkan Mountains and connecting Northern Bulgaria with Southern Bulgaria.
The leading sector in the region is industry while stockbreeding is the most developed one in agriculture.
The area of Gabrovo Region has been inhabited since ancient times. The oldest vestiges of life (dating to the Paleolithic Age) are found in Bacho Kiro Cave. Medieval fortresses guarded the Balkan passes (near the villages of Batoshevo and Gradnitza, located in the vicinity of Gabrovo).
There are more than 650 monuments of culture, most of which are related to the National Revival period. Handicrafts thrived in the region during the National Revival period giving rise to the Tryavna Arts School. Master builders, woodcarvers and icon painters became famous for their talent and skills and their fame traveled far beyond the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire. The icon painters and woodcarvers of Tryavna have left wonderful works of art. Dryanovo is the hometown of the greatest Bulgarian builder of the National Revival period, bearing the title of "architechton" – Nikolay Fichev, surnamed Kolyu Ficheto. Gabrovo Region is also connected with the origins of the Bulgarian secular education beginning with the foundation of Aprilov’s High School in town of Gabrovo.