Gwangju extends from Nam-gu Seungchon-dong (35˚03´13˝ north latitude) in the south to Sanpo-myeon, Youngsan River to Buk-gu Yongkang-dong (35˚15´22˝ north latitude) in the north. On the east side of Biseonggul, Buk-gu Chunghyo-dong forms the eastern boundary (127˚00´34˝ east longitude) of the city, bordering on Hwasun-gun, Nam-myeon, as well as Gwangsan-gu Yang-dong Seokam village (126˚38´35˝ east longitude) and Hampyeong-gun Nasan-myeon. The city extends 34.3km from east to west and 23.1km from north to south.

Gwangju forms a connecting point between mountains to the east and plains to the west. The low mountains surrounding Gwangju are ancient, having been worn down to hills. The east-west Noryeong mountain range divides the north and south parts of Jeolla province, while the Sobaek mountain range forms a north-south boundary separating Jeolla province from Gyeongsang province. Within the boundaries of South Jeolla province are two distinct mountain ranges.

Gwangju stands in the middle of the maritime and continental climatic zones. Due to continental high pressure from Mongolia reaching the Korean Peninsula, periodic freezes occur during the winter. High pressure from the North Pacific makes the summers hot and humid. Monsoons also affect the weather in early and late summer, creating flooding caused by heavy precipitation. A typhoon strikes the area once or twice a year. The migratory anticyclone from China during spring and autumn creates dry and clear weather. Gwangju's average temperature in 2005 was 13.6℃, and total precipitation was 1,289.6㎜.