Minor areas in the north of the district belong to the basin of the Luga River.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Shimsk, then known as Shimsky Perevoz, was the seat of Shimskaya Volost of Novgorodsky Uyezd of Novgorod Governorate.

[12] On February 15, 1935, Shimsky District, with the administrative center in the selo of Shimsk, was established.

[2] On July 5, 1944, Shimsky District was transferred to the newly established Novgorod Oblast.

[14] On February 15, 1935, it was re-established, and on July 5, 1944 transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast.

[15] After a number of administrative transformations, its territory ended up divided between Soletsky and Shimsky Districts.

[16] The main agricultural specializations in the district are the production of meat, milk, and eggs.

[16] Shimsk is located on the A116 highway which connects Veliky Novgorod and Porkhov (and continues to Pskov under a different code).