The district was located in the western part of Latvia on both sides of the Venta River.

It had borders with 5 other former districts: Ventspils, Talsi, Tukums, Saldus and Liepāja.

The district occupied an area of 2,499.87 km2, has a population of 37,119 — 13,335 in the main town of Kuldīga.

The main industries are agriculture, wood processing, forestry, and fish farming.

In the middle of the district are the Rietumkurzemes Heights with hills that are 100–120 m above sea level, the highest point being Vardupe Kalns with a peak at 140 m. In the northeast side of the district are the Austrumkurzemes Heights at 60–110 m above sea level.