In 1994 the district was created, when the previous districts Hainichen, Rochlitz and part the district Chemnitz were merged.
Geography
The district is located in the foothills of the Ore Mountains, only the area in the northwest around Rochlitz belongs to the lowlands around Leipzig (Leipziger Tieflandsbucht). In this area is also the lowest elevation with 144 m above sea level; the highest elevation is in Hausdorf (part of Frankenberg) with 488 m. The three main rivers in the district are the Zwickauer Mulde, Chemnitz and Zschopau river.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms show the lion of Meißen in the topright corner, as most of the district area belonged to Meißen historically. The three blue bars symbolize the three main rivers of the district: Zwickauer Mulde, Chemnitz and Zschopau river.
It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts Muldentalkreis, Döbeln, Freiberg, the district-free city Chemnitz and the district Chemnitzer Land, the district Altenburger Land in Thuringia and the district Leipziger Land.
In 1994 the district was created, when the previous districts Hainichen, Rochlitz and part the district Chemnitz were merged.
The three main rivers in the district are the Zwickauer Mulde, Chemnitz and Zschopau river.
It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Torgau-Oschatz[?], Riesa-Großenhain[?], Meißen[?], Mittweida[?] and Muldentalkreis[?].
The present borders of the district were established in 1952, when the government of East Germany formed the new districts.
The district is located on the banks of the Freiberger Mulde in the triangle between the cities of Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz.