The 1,677-square-kilometre (647 sq mi) district encompasses the lands that make up Kongsvinger and Eidskog municipalities.

[2] During the Viking Age, there was a lot of traffic in the area with several main roads passing through Vinger.

After the Christianization of Norway, many pilgrims made a pilgrimage through Vinger on their way north through the Østerdalen valley to the Nidaros Cathedral.

This can be compared to the similar Lithuanian word vìngis which means "bend", "bow", or "turn".

September averages 9.7 °C (49.5 °F), falling just short of being the 4th month over 10 °C (50 °F) which would meet the requirements to move the area to the humid continental climate (Dfb) category.