It is bounded by (from the east and clockwise) the cities of Fürth and Nuremberg, and by the districts of Roth, Ansbach, Neustadt (Aisch)-Bad Windsheim and Erlangen-Höchstadt.

The Cadolzburg (a castle west of Nuremberg) was the seat of the local rulers.

(Nonetheless, Fürth remains the official capital of the district.)

The district is occupied by the western Nuremberg metropolitan area.

The district is part of the Fürth constituency for elections to the Bundestag, currently represented by Christian Schmidt.