It borders (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Dachau, Freising, Erding, Ebersberg, Rosenheim, Miesbach, Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, Starnberg, Fürstenfeldbruck, and almost encircles (except for the west and northwest sides) the district-free city of Munich itself, which is the district seat.

The district was established in 1852 and underwent several changes due to the ongoing incorporation of municipalities into the city of Munich.

The main river is the Isar, which also flows through the city of Munich.

The left half of the coat of arms show the Bavarian blue-and-white lozenge symbols.

The district is administered by the Landratsamt München and politically led by the Kreistag.