The district derives its name from its headquarters, the city of Rahim Yar Khan, which was known as "Naushehra" until 1881.

The riverain area of the district lies close to eastern bank of the river Indus and Panjnad.

The third part of the area, called Cholistan, lies in the south of the irrigated tract up to the Indo-Pak border.

The surface of the desert consists of a succession of sand dunes rising at places to a height of 150 meters (492 ft) and is covered with the vegetation peculiar to sandy tracts.

[11] The Bhagwan Shri Krishna Mandir in Sadiqabad is one of the main Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan district.

The literacy rate in the district is 98% total for the 1st grade level school, locally known as 'graduating the MA full Examination'.

Rahim Yar Khan District has recently embraced growing sugarcane.