Major cities include the capital Al-Kut, Al-Hai and Al-Suwaira.

The governorate contains the Mesopotamian Marshes of Shuwayja, Al-Attariyah, and Hor Aldelmj.

Its name comes from the Arabic word meaning "middle", as the former city of Wasit lay along the Tigris about midway between Baghdad and Basra.

The ancient Sumerian city-state of Der is located near the town of Badra.

The governorate experienced heavy fighting in the Iran–Iraq War, specifically the Battle of the Marshes.