It is located in the Central Ostrobothnia region. The municipality has a population of 2,849 (31 December 2023) and covers an area of 616.89 square kilometres (238.18 sq mi) of which 8.45 km (3.26 sq mi) is water. The population density is 4.68 inhabitants per square kilometre (12.1/sq mi). Neighbouring municipalities are Kannus, Kokkola, Lestijärvi and Sievi.

The municipality is unilingually Finnish.

Notable people

• Mika Lintilä, politician
• Hannu Hirvikoski, writer
• Pekka Jylhä, sculptor
• Mauri Leppänen, volleyballer
• Virve Nuotio, soloist
• Samsa Tuikka, runner
• Teemu Wirkkala, javelin thrower
• Albert Gebhard, painter