[9] The Neva River, which connects Lake Ladoga with the Baltic Sea, serves as the northwestern border of the district.

The western part of the district is essentially an urbanized area adjacent to the city of St. Petersburg.

The fortress of Oreshek, controlling access to the Baltic Sea at the source of the Neva, was founded in the 14th century and rebuilt several times.

In 1617, per the terms of the Treaty of Stolbovo, the area was transferred to Sweden, and in the 1700s, during the Great Northern War, it was conquered back by Russia.

[10] The eastern part of the district in 1708 was included into Ladozhsky Uyezd with the seat in Staraya Ladoga.

In 1776, the area was transferred to Novgorod Viceroyalty and in 1781, it was moved back to Saint Petersburg Governorate.

On December 9, 1922, the administrative center of the uyezd was moved to the selo of Gostinopolye, which was renamed Volkhov and was granted town status.

On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished and Mginsky District, with the administrative center in the settlement of Mga, was established.

During World War II, between September 1941 and January 1944, parts of the district were occupied by German troops.

[13] There are enterprises of construction, chemical, timber, and food industries, as well as manufacturers of electrotechnical and electronic equipment, and a shipyard.

These enterprises are located in the towns of Kirovsk, Otradnoye, and Shlisselburg, as well as in the urban-type settlements of Mga, Naziya, Pavlovo, Priladozhsky, and Sinyavino.