After the Congress of Vienna, the area north of the Nahe river went to the Prussian Rhine province, the biggest part however became part of the Grand Duchy of Hesse and was called Rhenish Hesse.

In Bingen the river Nahe enters the Rhine, after flowing a short part through the district.

The flanks of the Hunsrück mountains in the west of the district to the Rhine valley are used for wine production.

The charges in the coat of arms show the three historic states which influenced the district.

In the chief (horizontal band at the top) is the Imperial eagle, on the dexter (armsbearer's right, viewer's left) side the Wheel of Mainz, and on the sinister (armsbearer's left, viewer's right) side the lion of the Electorate of the Palatinate (Kurpfalz).