Neighboring districts are, clockwise from the west, Miesbach, Munich, Ebersberg, Mühldorf, and Traunstein, with the Austrian province Tirol across the southern border.

The landscape is dominated by moraines created by the Inn Glacier in the last glacial period, including many lakes.

The main rivers in the district are the Inn and the Mangfall, which meet in the city of Rosenheim.

The coat of arms includes the distinctive Bavarian fusily at the top.

The crossed leaves of the water lily on the left are taken from the Frauenchiemsee coat of arms, symbolizing the Chiemsee area of the district, and the red lion represents the city of Wasserburg.