Historically, Kupwara district was earlier the part of the Baramulla district. The district has many shrines. Temples and masque both are available here. Several medical herbs can be found here such as Ratanjog, Kuth, Memaakh, Booja Khaupittres, etc. It is the backward frontier district of Kashmir Valley. The place is full of natural picturesque, dense forests and unique wild life which makes it quite attractive for tourists and wildlife lovers. Kupwara was emerged as separate district in the year 1976 after it carved out from the earlier Baramulla district. There are three bad pocket areas in the district namely Machil, Keran and Karnah, located near L.O.C which remain land locked for more than six months in a year. There are some other areas located at barbed distances and also remain cut off from the District Headquarter for a considerable time, like Kumkadi, Lashdat, Jumgund, Kethanwali and Budnambal.

Geographically, the district has a total 2,744 sq km. area and occupies the rank 4th in State and 426th in India on the bases of this size. It lies at 34°53'N latitude, 74°25'E longitude and 1615 m altitude. It is bounded by Baramulla district on the South and Bandipora District on the East. Bapora Khul, Bata Moji, Chota Khul, Dall Khul, Dahgam Khul, Dahgam Khul, Dudi, Hee Bar, Kahmil, Kishan Ganga, Kalaroos Nala, Kashur Nala, Lal Khul, Mawer, Manchir, Puhru, Nala Vij, Rehman Dulij, Taler are the main rivers which passes through the district. The Western, Northern and Eastern areas of the district has hilly area and Southern areas have mainly plain. In the year of 2021, there was a total 55.92% forest area of total geographical area. The climate of the district remains pleasant almost throughout the year. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 805.7 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 3 sub-districts namely Handwara, Karnah and Kupwara. Moreover, it has 10 towns and 353 villages. Urdu is its official language. The district came into existence on the year of 1976 with its administrative headquarters located at Kupwara which is situated at the distance of 85 kms from the state capital.

Demographically, according to the 2011 census, the district has a total number of 1,06,777 households with the total population of 8,70,354 comprising 4,74,190 are males and 3,96,164 are females which leading it to the rank 5th in the state and 471st in India. It has population density of 366 (persons as per Sq. km.). The sex ratio of the area is 835 (females as per 1000 Males) while the child ratio is 879 (females as per 1000 Males). As per 2011 census the major religion of the district is Muslim with 94.59% of the total population. During the period of 2001-2011, the population growth rate in the district was 33.82% including 38.94% were males and 28.17% were females. According to 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Kashmiri and Hindi with 71.19% and 26.19%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 1,932 out of which 1,063 were males and 869 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 2,577 out of which 1,640 were males and 937 were females.

Economically, the district is mainly dependent on agriculture mainly. It is included in the three most backward districts of Jammu and Kashmir and receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme. The district forests have a number of minerals and other products. The Gross Domestic Product in the district during the period 2005-06 was Rs. 1,17,300 lakh at Current Price and Rs. 89,704 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. 10,223 at Current Price and Rs. 5,373 at Constant Prices in the year 1993-1994.

Education wise, according to the 2011 census, the literacy rate of the district is 64.51% including 75.68% are males and 50.95% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 4,39,654 including 2,82,823 are males and 1,56,831 are females. The district is consisting of several educational institutes including schools and colleges. Handwara is emerging as centre for education. It is consisting of many Government school and more than 15 private schools. Govt Degree College is situated at Handwara Kulangam Road. The largest college in Kupwara city is Government Degree College. Education is growing very fast in the city.

Gulam Mohammad Meer is a famous political personality from the Kupwara district. He had worked in Horticulture Department. He became the member of Peoples Democratic Party after his retirement. He won the Assembly election of 2008. Later, he joined BJP and served as the Vice President in party on the state level. In 2014, he participated in the Parliament election from Baramulla. Sharifuddin Shariq was born on 13th March, 1935. He is member of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference. He was the elected member of 15th Lok Sabha from Baramulla.

The district has many famous tourist places to visit. These places are Mountain-Ainch, Bulbeer, Dajalongun, Feshiltong, Gazrandoor, Harwan Bal, Ismallindoor, Kajinag, Kalangmulng, Khazanmatti, Lashdut, Nastachun, Nawan, Raja Ram Ni Lari, Shamsbari, Shireenkoh, Souimji, Jamia Masjid Kupwara, Kheer Bawani Temple, Karnah Micro Hydel Project, Nandrishi Pir’s Tomb, Dhyaneshwar Temple at Smattan, Ruins of Ramkund Temple, Shardania Temple at Guglusa, Jamia Masjid, Gazi Masjid, Badra Kali Temple, etc. The district has beautiful natural, scenery and climate. Kheer Bhawani temple belongs to the Goddess Kheer Bhawani. The kheer is offered to the Goddess Bhawani here. The Goddess is famous with many names such as Maharagya Devi, Ragnya Devi, Rajni, Ragnya Bhagwati, and so on. Badra Kali temple is an ancient temple which is situated on the hilltop of pine forest. The puja is performed only on Chaitra Ram Navami because of migration of pundits from here. Jamia Masjid is the beautiful Mosque. The original Jama Masjid was built by the Chek Rulers near the shrine of Syed Mohammad Gabi. Jamia Masjid Tangdar is dedicated to Shahi Hamdan. It is the myth that Shahi Hamdan had offered a chilla in this mosque.