The Western Dvina itself crosses the district from northwest to southeast, and its major left tributary, the Mezha, makes the border with Tver Oblast.

The area was settled in the prehistory, and, as the Western Dvina always has been an important waterway, there are multiple archaeological sites along its course.

In 1502, all lands east of the Mezha and the Western Dvina were transferred to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and in 1536 Tsar Ivan the Terrible ordered that a fortress for border protection, later the town of Velizh, be built.

Between July and October 1812, Velizh was occupied by the army of Napoleon advancing to Moscow.

[8] During WWII, between July 1941 and September 1943, Velizhsky District was occupied by German troops.

[9] The main agricultural specialization of the district is cattle breeding with meat and milk production.

[9] Paved roads connect Velizh with Smolensk, Nevel via Usvyaty, and Vitebsk.