Historically, the district was called as the gateway to Kashmir valley. The district of Baramulla got its name from the Baramulla city and the city is named after its founder Raja Bhimsina, who founded it in 2306 BC. Earlier, it enjoyed the status of a gate-way to the valley since it was located on the route to the Valley from Muzaffarabad (now in POK) and Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). Thus, a number of visitors came to this region includes Chinese visitor Heiun T'Sang and the British historian, Moorcroft. During the travelling of Mughals to this valley they stayed here as they felt a special connection with Baramulla. Then in 1508 AD, Emperor Akbar who entered the valley through Pakhil spent a few days at Baramulla. As per "Tarikh-e-Hassan" during Akbar's period, the place was decorated like a bride. In 1620 AD Jahangir, the son of Akbar also stayed at Baramulla during his visit to Kashmir valley. In 1421 CE, the place became the centre of faith for Muslims due to the Saint Syed Janbaz Wali. Sikh Guru Shri Hargobind Singh ji also visited this place in 1894. It was merged to the Union of India when the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on 26th October, 1947. The region experienced the riots that time. After 1947, the district has developed very well in the respect of schools, colleges, road and bridges, etc.

Syed Saleh Rizvi was a famous scholar from the district. Marsiyeh or dirge in Kashmiri is the famous work of him. Muhammad Ashraf Bukhari (Syed Muhammad Ashraf Bukhari) is an Indian Administrative Service officer. He served as the Commissioner/Secretary, Agriculture Production Department Jammu and Kashmir and the Commissioner/Secretary to the government GAD. Umar Nissar is an Indian domestic cricketer of Jammu and Kashmir. Khwaja Mubarak Shah was a member of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference. He represented the Baramulla constituency in the Indian Parliament in 1980s. He was also the Deputy Minister in Jammu and Kashmir in 1952. He was appointed as Superintendent of Police from 1947.

Geographically, the district has a total 2,062 sq km. area and occupies the rank 11th in State and 508th in India on the bases of this size. It lies at 34°21'N latitude, 74°34'E longitude and 1615 m altitude. In the year of 2021, there was a total 43.26% forest area of total geographical area. It is bounded by Bandipora District and Kupwara District in the North, Poonch District in the South, Ganderbal District and Budgam District in the East and Kashmir Region in the West. Jhelum is the main river of the district. Locals of the district experiences cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1133.3 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 8 sub-districts namely Baramulla, Pattan, Sopur, Tirgam, Ruhama, Boniyar, Keerri, Uri. Moreover, it has 7 towns and 509 villages. Urdu is its official language. The district came into existence in year 1947 with its administrative headquarters located at Baramulla which is situated at the distance of 53 kms from the state capital.

Demographically, according to the 2011 census, the district has a total 1,45,990 numbers of households with the population of 10,08,039 comprising 5,34,733 are males and 4,73,306 are females and leads it to the rank 4th in the state and 444th in India. It has population density of 238 (persons as per sq km.). The sex ratio of the region is considered as 885 (females as per 1000 males) and child ratio is 863 (females as per 1000 males). According to the 2011 census, the principal languages of the district are Kashmiri with 82.11% and Hindi with 14.99%. During the period of 2001-2011 the population growth rate was 18.13% including 19.40% were males and 16.73% were female. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Muslim with 95.15%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 6,288 out of which 3,372 were males and 2,916 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 3,338 out of which 2,183 were males and 1,155 were females.

Economically, the district is mainly depends on agriculture. It produces the largest production of horticulture products. It is famous for world class level apples. Several small scale industries are also available here. Tourism is also a man source of income for the people of the district. The Gross Domestic Product in the district during the period 2005-06 was Rs. 2,64,262 lakh at Current Price and Rs. 2,01,994 lakh at Constant Prices in the year 1999-2000. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2003-04 was Rs. 14,627 at Current Price and Rs. 6,924 at Constant Prices in the year 1993-1994.

Education wise, the district has total literates of 5,45,149 including 3,37,170 are males and 2,07,979 are females. The literacy rate in the district is 64.63% out of which 75.53% are males and 52.38% are females. It has a Kendriya Vidyalaya (Central School) and a Sainik (Military) School which are affiliated by the Central Board of Secondary Education. St. Joseph's School is a missionary school. It is one of the oldest schools in the valley. The name of the other private schools is Baramulla Public Hr. Sec. School, Beacon House Baramulla (BHB) Hanfia Model High School Ushkara, Delhi Public School and many schools. There are many private schools which are run by the Government. There are one or two Government schools in each town of the district. Some other educational institutes are Baramulla Polytechnic College, Government Degree College for Women in Sopore and Government Higher Secondary Institute in Botingoo.

Sajjad Gani Lone is a Kashmiri politician, belongs to the People’s Conference Party. He is also the Chairman of the party. He registered a victory with a huge margin in Hindwara in the State assembly election. He fought the 2009 Indian General election independently. Saifuddin Soz is an Indian professor. He is also the Member of the Parliament of India. He served as the Union Minister of Water Resources in the 14th Lok Sabha and Minister of Environment and Forests in the 1990s.

The district has many famous historical and religious tourist places to visit. These places are Gulmarg, Wular Lake, Manasbal Lake, Manimarg, Vijimarg, Mahalishamarg. Gulmarg is a hill station which is famous as skiing destination. It is located in the Pirpanjal range of the Western Himalayas. Wular Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes of Asia. The source of the lake is Jhelam River. Water sports activities and boating etc are available here. Manasbal Lake is famous as the deepest lake in the valley. It is said to be formed with Lake Manasarovar. It is surrounded by three villages Jarokbal, Kondabal and Ganderbal. Mughal Garden, built by Nurjaha is located nearby it. Various birds of different species can be seen here.