The administrative center is Semey city, although it is not part of the district.

[2] The Zhanasemey District was first established in 1928, at the time of the Kazakh Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic, It was part of the Semipalatinsk Oblast but after only two years it was abolished.

In 1938 the district was restored as part of the East Kazakhstan Region of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic and, with some restructuring in between, it lasted until 1957.

Finally, through a decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 28 December 2023, Zhanasemey District was re-established for the fourth time beginning on 1 January 2024.

The Degelen and Myrzhyk mountains rise in the western sector and are part of the Kazakh Uplands.