[5] The area was populated by speakers of Uralic languages and then colonized by the Novgorod Republic.

Historically, it was a part of Vazhsky Uyezd, a vast area including almost all of the basin of the Vaga River.

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

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

From 1929 to 1959 (with a brief break between 1931 and 1935), Rovdinsky District existed, with its administrative center located in Rovdino.

[13] The district is located in the valley of the Vaga River, a major left tributary of the Northern Dvina.

[3] The selsoviets include (the administrative centers are given in parentheses): As a municipal division, the district is divided into two urban settlement and twenty rural settlements (the administrative centers are given in parentheses): Timber industry is the core industry of the district.

[14] Velsk is located on one of the principal highways in Russia, M8 connecting Moscow and Arkhangelsk.

A section of the railroad connecting Konosha and Kotlas, which eventually continues to Vorkuta, lies in the district.