The gmina covers an area of 221.82 square kilometres (85.6 sq mi), and as of 2014 its total population is 14,146 and is one of the largest municipalities of Lublin Voivodeship.

The gmina contains part of the protected area called Chełm Landscape Park.

The municipality was formally established pursuant to the Resolution of the Provincial Council in Lublin of 5 December 1972 (effective as of 1 January 1973).

Municipality of Chełm lies within two geographical regions, Volhynian Polesie and Lublin Upland.

There are several nature reserves: A natural monument: Gmina Chełm contains the villages and settlements of Antonin, Depułtycze Królewskie, Depułtycze Królewskie-Kolonia, Henrysin, Horodyszcze, Horodyszcze-Kolonia, Janów, Józefin, Koza-Gotówka, Krzywice, Krzywice-Kolonia, Nowe Depułtycze, Nowiny, Nowosiółki, Nowosiółki-Kolonia, Ochoża-Kolonia, Okszów, Okszów-Kolonia, Parypse, Podgórze, Pokrówka, Rożdżałów, Rożdżałów-Kolonia, Rudka, Srebrzyszcze, Stańków, Stare Depułtycze, Staw, Stołpie, Strupin Duży, Strupin Łanowy, Strupin Mały, Tytusin, Uher, Weremowice, Wojniaki, Wólka Czułczycka, Zagroda, Zarzecze, Zawadówka, Żółtańce and Żółtańce-Kolonia.