Neighbouring districts are (from north clockwise) Ortenaukreis, Schwarzwald-Baar, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald and the district-free city Freiburg.

The district dates back to the Bezirksamt Emmendingen, which was created in 1803 when the area became part of Baden.

The western part of the district is located in the upper Rhine valley, including the small volcanic mountain Kaiserstuhl.

This extinct volcano is one of the climatic best regions of Germany, with wine grapes growing on its sunny slopes.

The six-topped mountain in the top right is the symbol of the Lords of Schwarzenberg, who ruled over the land around Elzach and Waldkirch; the wing in the bottom right is the symbol of the Lords of Üsenberg, who owned the land around Endingen, Herbolzheim and Kenzingen.