History
In 1973 part of the district Müllheim and small parts of the district Säckingen were added to the district, which enlarged the district by about 25% to the current size.
Geography
The north-east of the district is part of the
Hochschwarzwald, the highest part of the
Black Forest 
. In the west is the
Markgräfler Hügelland, in the south the
Dinkelberg, both lower hilly areas.