It is believed that this district was named after a highly respected elder and philanthropist in the community, Ismayil Baghiyev.

The territory, like all the northern lands of Azerbaijan, was part of the Caucasian Albanian state in the 4th century B.C.

The ruins of the residence built by him on the Aghchay river 4 km from Talystan village are still famous as the Djavanshir tower.

It borders Quba in the north, Shamakhi in the east, Aghsu in the southeast, Kurdamir in the south, Goychay in the southwest and Gabala in the west.

The area is passed by the Goychay, Gyrdyman, Akhokh, Ayrichay, Sulut and other rivers, Yekekhana and Ashygbayram artificial ponds.

The forests are composed of oak, hornbeam, beech-tree, alder-tree, birch-tree, poplar, pear, spoke and other trees.

Such fauna as elk, mountain goat, chamois, deer, roe deer, bear, boar, lynx, fox, wolf, squirrel, coon, pheasant, partridge, eagle, falcon, tetra and others are found in the forests.

Tats, Armenians, Russians and Lezgians are other ethnic groups of Ismayilli District.

The radio station of the district was registered in the head department for mass media under the State Press Committee and started operating on February 10, 1993.