Penza Region is located on the river Sura about 600 km south east of Moscow. The city of Penza is the administrative center and capital of the region, founded in 1663. It borders with the Mordovian Republic, as well as with Ulyanovsk, Saratov, Tambov, and Ryazan Regions.

Penza's climate varies a lot over the year. The city is known for its cold winters, but its summers are hot and generally sunny.

Average temperatures vary from -5–12C in January to +20+30C in July. It often snows heavily in winter.