Jaintia Hills district was emerged as a separate district in 1974 in the state of Meghalaya with its headquarters located at Jowai which was taken from the United Khasi Jaintia Hills District Council. It was once a significant part of the grand Jaintia Kingdom. At present the inhabitants of the district are Pnar, War, Bhoi (Karbis), Lalungs, Hadem of Saitsama area, Beates/Biates of the Saipung sub division and Hmars of the Khaddum village. In the year 2012 the district has been bifurcated into two districts such as East Jaintia Hills district headquartered at Khliehriat and West Jaintia Hills district headquartered at Jowai.

Aiborlang Khongjee is an Indian football defender player. He plays for I League club Shillong Lajong.

Geographically, the district has a total 3,819 sq. km. area and occupies the rank 2nd in State and 321st in India on the bases of this size. It lies at 25°50' N latitude, 92°34' E longitude and 1631 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 66.27% forest area of total geographical area. The climate of the district remains pleasant almost throughout the year. The rainfall in the district is very high during the period of south west monsoon, which usually starts from the mid of May and declines towards the last of September. The actual rainfall in the district was 3773.9 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 5 sub-districts, 1 town and 534 villages. English is its official language. Its district code is 298. The district came into existence in the year 1974 with its administrative headquarters located at Jowai at the distance of 67 kms from the state capital.

Demographically, according to the 2011 census, the district has a total number of 64,842 households with a total population of 3,95,124 comprising 1,96,285 are males and 1,98,839 are females which causing it to rank 3rd in the state and 558 in India. The density of population of the district is 103 (persons per sq km.). The sex ratio is pegged at 1013 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 976 (females per 1000 males). The percentage of Schedule tribe is 14.72%. The population growth rate during the period 2001 to 2011 was 32.1% including 30.95% were males and 33.25% were females. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 12,803 out of which 5,943 were males and 6,860 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 1,794 out of which 1,093 were males and 701 were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Christian with 68.74% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Khasi with 95.22%.

Economically, the district is dependent on agriculture primarily. In the year 2007-08 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 1,18,488 lakhs at current price and Rs. 84,335 lakhs at constant prices in the year 1999-2000. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2007-08 was Rs. 1,02,049 lakh at current price and Rs. 76,563 lakh at constant prices in the year 1999-2000. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost during the period 2007-08 was Rs. 31,480 at current price and Rs. 3,242 at constant prices in the year 1999-2000. Cement factories and coal mining are available in the West Jaintia hills district. But, most of the coal mines are situated in East Jaintia hills.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate is 61.64% out of which 58.14% are males and 65.06% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 1,87,527 including 87,371 are males and 1,00,156 are females. The total number of illiterates in the district is 2,07,597 including 1,08,914 are males and 98,683 are females. The name of some of the main educational institutions in the region are Thomas Jones Synod College, Northeast Adventist College, Jowai Polytechnic, Jaintia Eastern College, Dongbirtluh LP School, Pala Govt LP School, Mynthning LPS, Lakasein Pohskur LP School, Samasi Pres UP School, Lakasein UP School, Kiang Nangbah Government College, Rymbai Higher Secondary School, Khliehriat Higher Secondary School, Marian Hill HSS, Shangpung Presbyterian HSS, etc.

Vincent H Pala is belongs to Indian National Congress. He became the member of the 15th Lok Sabha and 16th Lok Sabha in 2009 and 2014 respectively. Justine Dkhar is the representative of the Khliehrait (ST) constituency in the East Jaintia Hills district in 2008-2013.

The disatrict has many famous, beautiful and historical places to visit. These places are Jowai, Nartiang, Nartiang Monoliths, Durga Temple at Nartiang, Khim Moo Sniang, Thadlaskein Lake, Umhang Lake, Kiang Nongbah Monument, Syntu Ksiar, Stone Bridge at Thlumuwi, Dawki, Iawmusiang, Ruparsor Bathing Ghat, U Lum Sunaraja, Umlawan Cave, Lady of Good Health Shrine, Borghat Temple, Jarain Pitcher Plant Lake, Krang Suri Falls, Ialong Park, Tyrshi Falls, Iooksi (Kupli) Park. Every year, a number of tourists visit here from worldwide.