The divide between the basins of the Narva and Neva Rivers crosses the district from south to north.

The Loknya River, a left tributary of the Lovat, makes up a stretch of the border with Loknyansky District.

The southwest of the district belongs to the basin of the Alolya River, another right tributary of the Velikaya.

The Polistovsky Nature Reserve, located mostly in the drainage basin of the Polist in the northwest of the district, is one of the first wetland preserves in Russia, founded in 1994.

In the mid-18th century, Bezhanitsy, which was located on the road connecting Porkhov and Velikiye Luki, quickly developed as a center of yam (state-sponsored transportation).

[9][10] On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished, and Bezhanitsky District was established, with the administrative center in the selo of Bezhanitsy.

The governorates were abolished as well, and the district became a part of Pskov Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.

On January 29, 1935, the district was transferred to Kalinin Oblast, and on February 5 of the same year, Bezhanitsky District became a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Kalinin Oblast, one of the okrugs abutting the state boundaries of the Soviet Union.

On August 22, 1944, the district was transferred to newly established Velikiye Luki Oblast.

[11] On August 1, 1927, Chikhachyovsky District was established as well, with the administrative center in the selo of Chikhachyovo.

[11] On June 1, 1936, Ashevsky District with the administrative center in the selo of Chikhachyovo was established.

[11] The largest industrial enterprise of the district is Krasny Luch Glass-Works, which is one of the oldest glass-works.[where?]

[13] The railway connecting St. Petersburg and Vitebsk crosses the district from north to south.