The district is located on the Smolensk Upland and is divided between the drainage basins of the Dnieper and the Volga. The rivers in the southwestern part of the district drain into the Desna River, a major left tributary of the Dnieper. The Desna has its source within the area of the district, and the town of Yelnya is located on the banks of the Desna. The northern part of the district belongs to the drainage basin of the Uzha River, another left tributary of the Dnieper, which also has its source within the district. Minor areas in the western part of the district drain into the Sozh River, a major left tributary of the Dnieper. Another major river which has its source within the area of the district is the Ugra River, a left tributary of the Oka. The eastern part of the district belongs to the drainage basin of the Ugra. 14% of the area of the district is occupied by forest.
History
Yelnya has been first mentioned in chronicles in 1150. The area belonged intermittently to the Principality of Smolensk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and Poland. In 1667, according to the Truce of Andrusovo, Yelnya was transferred to Russia. In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was included into Smolensk Governorate and remained there until 1929, with the exception of the brief periods between 1713 and 1726, when it belonged to Riga Governorate, and between 1775 and 1796, when Smolensk Governorate was transformed into Smolensk Viceroyalty. It belonged to Yelninsky Uyezd, with the center in Yelnya. In October 1928, Yelninsky Uyezd was abolished and split between Smolensky, Roslavlsky, and Vyazemsky Uyezds. On 12 July 1929, governorates and uyezds were abolished, and Yelninsky District with the administrative center in the town of Yelnya was established on the territories which previously belonged to Yelninsky and Durogobuzhsky Uyezds. The district belonged to Smolensk Okrug of Western Oblast. On August 1, 1930 the okrugs were abolished, and the districts were subordinated directly to the oblast. On 27 September 1937 Western Oblast was abolished and split between Oryol and Smolensk Oblasts. Yelninsky District was transferred to Smolensk Oblast. Between 1941 and 1943, during WWII, the district was occupied by German troops. In 1961, Glinkovsky District was merged into Yelninsky District, but in 1980 it was re-established.
Economy
Industry
There are enterprises of food, construction, and timber industries in the district.
Agriculture
The main agricultural specializations of the district are cattle breeding with meat and milk production, as well as crops, beans, and potato growing.
Transportation
The railway connecting Smolensk and Sukhinichi via Spas-Demensk crosses the district from northwest to southeast. Yelnya is the largest railway station in the district. There is infrequent passenger navigation. Yelnya is connected by roads with Safonovo, with Pochinok, and with Roslavl.
