The district is located at the Ilmen Depression, southwest of Lake Ilmen. It belongs to the basin of Lake Ilmen, with the rivers in the north draining directly into the lake. The rivers in the southeastern part of the district drain into the Polist River, with the Snezha River being its biggest tributary within the district. The northern part of the district lies in the basin of the Shelon River. Lake Dolzhino in the south is the biggest lake in the district and belongs to the basin of the Perekhoda. The landscape of the district is almost flat with hills separating river valleys. The elevation above sea level ranges between. Swamps cover up to 25% of the district's territory. Most of the swamps are located in the river valleys, and most of them in the south of the district. About half of the territory is covered by temperate broadleaf and mixed forest.
History
In the 19th century, the area was a part of Starorussky Uyezd of Novgorod Governorate. In August 1927, the governorates and uyezds were abolished. Volotovsky District, with the administrative center in the railway station of Volot, was established within Novgorod Okrug of Leningrad Oblast effective October 1, 1927. It included parts of former Starorussky Uyezd. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were abolished, and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On January 1, 1932, Volotovsky District was abolished and split between Dedovichsky, Dnovsky, Soletsky, and Starorussky Districts. On February 15, 1935, it was re-established. Between July 28, 1941 and February 24, 1944, Volotovsky District was occupied by German troops. An extended underground resistance organization was active in the district at the time of occupation. On July 5, 1944, Volotovsky District was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast. On February 1, 1963, the district was abolished in the course of the Nikita Khrushchev's administrative reform. On November 3, 1965, Volotovsky District was re-established.
As of 2012, three large-scale farms and nineteen mid-scale farms were operating in the district. The main agricultural specializations were meat and milk production, as well as crop growing.
Transportation
A railway which connects Bologoye and Pskov via Staraya Russa crosses the district from east to west. The main station within the district is Volot. Volot is connected by roads with Staraya Russa and Soltsy. There are also local roads.
