Neighboring districts are Northeim, Göttingen, Werra-Meißner, Schwalm-Eder, Waldeck-Frankenberg, Höxter.

Its headstream, the Fulda, flows through the southern part of the district including the city of Kassel.

The area was first populated by the ancient Germanic tribe of Chatti, who later founded the state of Hesse.

Many characters and places from the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm have originated in the area around Kassel.

Baunatal has large Volkswagen and Lohfelden factories and also has several industrial areas on the border with the city of Kassel.