This regency was founded to include a collection of several villages that existed in the region of Luhak Agam, during the rule of the Dutch East Indies.

After Bukittinggi was created as an independent city outside of the regency, based on Government Regulation No.

8 of 1998, on 7 January 1998, the Agam Regency's capital was officially moved to Lubuk Basung.

[2] Regions with a very steep slope (> 45%) are at the Bukit Barisan range with the summit of Mount Merapi with a height of 2,891 meters, and Mount Singgalang with a height of 2,877 meters, in the south and southeast of Agam.

There is Sianok Canyon, a steep valley (ravine) located in the border of Bukittinggi and IV Koto Districts.

The valley is long and winding as the southern border town of Koto Gadang canyon to the village Sianok Anam Tribe, and ended in Palupuh District.

The Agam Regency is populated mainly by the Minangkabau people, while other ethnic groups include Javanese and Batak.