The district is bounded by the Elm (a hill chain) in the west and the Lappwald (a riparian forest) in the east.

In the Middle Ages, Königslutter was among the wealthiest cities of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1944, the Amt of Calvörde, which formed an exclave, was moved to the District of Haldensleben, Province of Saxony.

During the 20th century, the area between Helmstedt and Schöningen was used for lignite mining by the Braunschweigische Kohlenbergwerke AG.

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