The district was established on August 8, 1930. Until July 2, 1967, it was called Astarkhanbazar. Its name changed on June 2, 1967, to Jalilabad in honor of Azerbaijani writer-playwright Jalil Mammadguluzadeh. The district borders the districts of Masally, Yardimli, Bilasuvar, and Neftchala. Its capital and largest city is Jalilabad. Its territory is 1441.4 square kilometers. There are 2 cities and 118 villages in the district. The territory of the district primarily consists of plains and low mountains. The altitude of some mountains in the east is below sea level. The climate is mild with dry summers. There are 50 historical and archaeological monuments such as the remains of the ancient cities Bajirevan and Mughan, Alikomektepe and Misharchay residential areas, the Kazan lodge, the Bajiravan mounds, Gurudere residential area from the 4th millennium B.C., Jinlitepe which is from the Bronze Age, and Pirakhanjar, Zoroastrian cabins in the district.