It is bounded by (from the northwest and clockwise) the city of Emden, the districts of Aurich, Wittmund, Friesland, Ammerland, Cloppenburg and Emsland, and by the Netherlands (Province of Groningen).

The Ems River runs through the District, coming out of the Emsland in the south and flowing into the Dollart, a bay of the North Sea.

Some of the area of the District is in the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park.

The coat-of-arms is identical to the arms of the East Frisian chieftain dynasty Ukena, rulers of the area during the 15th century.

Crown: two plumes of wheat Vert divided by a four-leaf clover proper at center."