The district is situated both in the middle of Minsk Region and of the Belarus.

It is crossed by the Svislach River and the towns around Minsk are part of its metropolitan area.

It borders, from north to south in a clockwise sense, with the districts of Vilyeyka, Lahoysk, Smalyavichy, Chervyen, Pukhavichy, Uzda, Dzyarzhynsk, Valozhyn and Maladzyechna.

The district is divided into 18 rural councils (sieĺsaviets) and 37 municipalities (including Minsk).

[2] The 18 sieĺsaviets are: Astrašycki Haradok, Baraŭliany, Harani, Ždanovičy, Juzufova, Kalodziščy, Krupica, Lašany, Luhavaja Slabada, Michanavičy, Novy Dvor, Papiernia, Piatryški, Samachvalavičy, Sienica, Chaciežyna, Šaršuny, Ščomyslica.