In the Late Middle Ages, many towns were members of the Hanseatic League.

Due to the Thirty Years' War the Altmark was completely devastated in the 17th century.

It never regained its importance and remains sparsely populated to date.

The largest of those is the Drömling, a large wetland in the southwest, which is a nature park shared with the neighbouring Börde (district).

The coat of arms displays: The district Altmarkkreis Salzwedel consists of the following subdivisions:[3] Beetzendorf-Diesdorf