Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise): Chana, Na Mom, Hat Yai, and Singhanakhon of Songkhla Province.

The name Songkhla is a Thai corruption of Singgora, its original name, which means 'the city of lions' in Malay.

The main language spoken in this area is Southern and Central Thai dialect with local varieties of Songkhla Malay.

Buddhism is the majority religion here with a sizable amount of Islam embraced by Thai Malays and a mixed ethnicity called Samsam.

Mueang Songkhla district is divided into six sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 47 administrative villages (mubans).