It is bordered by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Regen, Freyung-Grafenau, Passau, Rottal-Inn, Dingolfing-Landau and Straubing-Bogen.

The Danube river runs through the district from west to east, dividing it into two unequal regions.

The Isar river enters the district in the south and meets the Danube close to the town of Deggendorf.

The double eagle was the symbol of the monastery of Metten, which was the first Christian outpost in the region.

The blue line stands for the river Danube, the green hills symbolise the Bavarian Forest.