It has an area of 18,491 km2 (7,139 sq mi), and surrounds, but does not administer, the sub-prefecture-level city of Tumxuk.

[1][11] In September 1937, two regiments of Soviet Kirghiz troops and one regiment of Russian troops equipped with forty airplanes and twenty tanks entered Sinkiang from Atushe and attacked Maralbexi, dividing Ma Hushan's 36th Corps into two sections.

[17][18] Maralbexi County includes 4 towns (بازىرى / 镇), 8 townships (يېزىسى / 乡):[1][3][19][20][21]

Animal herding is prominent and rock salt and phosphate fertilizer are produced in the county.

Industries include food processing, plastics, rug making, electricity and construction.