[5] The district is elongated from south to north and is crossed by the Northern Dvina River which divides it into two roughly equal parts.

The main Northern Dvina tributaries within the district are the Yemtsa (left), the Pukshenga (right), and the Pinega (right).

A minor area in the north of the district lies in the basin of the Kyolda River, a left tributary of the Kuloy.

Kholmogory (then Kolmogory) was known since the 14th century and quickly established itself as one of the most important trading settlements in the North of Russia.

In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was included into Archangelgorod Governorate.

This breed, mostly black and white, was particularly stable against the cold climate of Northern Russia and eventually spread well beyond this region.

A railway line connecting Arkhangelsk and Karpogory passes through the northern part of the district.

Kholmogorskaya railway station on the railroad between Moscow and Arkhangelsk is located in Plesetsky District.

One of the principal highways in Russia, M8 connecting Moscow and Arkhangelsk, crosses the district from south to north, on the left bank of the Northern Dvina.

The best carving masters from Kholmogory were invited to work in the Kremlin Armory, which performed orders for the Tsar's court.

[20] Famous Russian sculptor Fedot Shubin started his career in Kholmogory as a walrus ivory carver.

Other notable people born within modern district limits include: All of them left the area relatively early to pursue their careers elsewhere.