The Kubena crosses the northwestern part of the district, entering from the north and exiting to the west.

The central and northern parts of the district belong to the basins of other tributaries of the Kubena, such as the Verdenga and the Yakhrenga.

Finally, some minor areas in the south and southeast of the district belong to the basins of the Sukhona's tributaries, such as the Tsaryova and the Dvinitsa.

The whole area of the district thus belongs to the basins of the Northern Dvina and the White Sea.

In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was included into Archangelgorod Governorate.

The latter was abolished in 1796, and the part of it which included the current area of the district became Vologda Governorate.

On July 15, 1929, the uyezds were abolished, and Syamzhensky District with the administrative center in the village of Yarygino was established and became a part of Vologda Okrug of Northern Krai.

In 1930, the okrug was abolished, and the district was subordinated to the central administration of Northern Krai.

[10] One of the principal highways in Russia, M8, which connects Moscow and Arkhangelsk, crosses the district from south to north, passing Syamzha.

The district contains sixty-three objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance.