[2] The whole area of the district belongs to the drainage basin of the Sozh River, a major right tributary of the Dnieper.

Most of the area of the district is flat, and in the northwest the outskirts of the Smolensk Upland dominate the landscape.

In 1772, as a result of the First Partition of Poland, the area was transferred to Russia and included in the newly established Mogilev Governorate.

On 3 March 1924, a half of Mstislavsky Uyezd was transferred to Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, and seven volosts, including Khislavichi, were left in Smolensk Governorate.

[9] On 12 July 1929, governorates and uyezds were abolished, and Khislavichsky District with the administrative center in the settlement of Khislavichi was established.

The main agricultural specializations are cattle breeding as well as growing of crops and vegetables.

[8] Khislavichi is on a main road which connects Pochinok with Mstsislaw, where it continues to Orsha and Krychaw.