Neighboring districts are Trier-Saarburg, Sankt Wendel, Saarlouis, the French département Moselle, and Luxembourg.

After World War I the Saar area was under special government of the League of Nations, which split the district into two.

In 1935, the Saar area rejoined Germany; however, it took till after the World War II that the two parts of the district were reunited in 1946.

The river Saar flows through the district, the Moselle forms the boundary in the west to Luxembourg.

The coat of arms show the symbols of those countries which had possessions in the district's area.