The central and the southeastern parts of the district belong to the basin of the Usvyacha River, a left tributary of the Western Dvina.

The area was populated since the Middle Ages, and Usvyaty (Vsvyach) was first mentioned in chronicles under 1021.

After 1919, Vitebsk Governorate was a part of Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished, and Usvyatsky District was established, with the administrative center in the selo of Usvyaty.

Pskov Governorate was abolished as well, and the district became a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.

On August 22, 1944, the district was transferred to newly established Velikiye Luki Oblast.

[11] On August 1, 1927, Usmynsky District with the administrative center in the selo of Usmyn was created on the territories which previously belonged to Nevelsky and Toropetsky Uyezds.

[11] On August 1, 1927, Porechyevsky District with the administrative center in the selo of Porechye was created as well on the territories which previously belonged to Nevelsky Uyezd.

[12] The highway connecting Nevel with Smolensk via Usvyaty and Velizh crosses the district from northwest to southeast.

The district contains twenty objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance.

[14] They are archaeological sites as well as monuments to soldiers fallen in World War II.