Agriculture and wind power characterise the landscape. In the centre is the small town of Ottenstein. Other villages are Kleinenberg, Großenberg, Eichenborn, Baarsen and Neersend in the borough of Bad Pyrmont, Lüntorf in the borough of Emmerthal, Lichtenhagen in the borough of Ottenstein and Vahlbruch. The Ottenstein Plateau lies near the tourist attractions of the Köterberg and the so-called Rühle Switzerland (Rühler Schweiz).