The District comprises 15 municipalities, with its administrative centre in the town of Lazdijai, which is 7 km from the Polish border. The town, which has a population of 6000, was founded in 1560, and was granted official city rights in 1597. Another important town in the region is Veisiejai, which is surrounded on three sides by Lake Ancia. Smaller towns of importance are Sestokai, Seirijai, Leipalingis, Kapciamiestis and Rudamina, most of which have developed from former manor estates.

Forest covers 35.8% of the territory, in which pine trees predominate. The forest land belongs to the Veisiejai Forestry Station and private owners. The station manages the forests, sells timber and organizes commercial hunting expeditions. The region has over 200 lakes, the largest of which are Lakes Dusia, Metelys and Seirijis. The Nemunas River, the largest in Lithuania, forms the southeastern boundary of the region. Boat tours through connecting lakes and waterways to the river, and down it to the Curonian Lagoon, are popular.

There is beautiful scenery throughout the Dzukija National Park, the Beisiejai and Meteliai Regional Parks, the Kalniskiai Nature Reserve and the Rudamina Historical Landscape Reserve. Visitors to these reserves can enjoy an unspoiled natural environment, and tourism is one of the most promising industries. Guest accommodation for short and long stays can be found by the lakes.

Places to visit. Of particular interest are the archaeological remains at Rudamina Hill, the surroundings of which were inhabited as early as the first century AD. There are over 150 cultural monuments in the area.

The most famous museums in the region are the M. Gustaitis Museum, the Regional Museum of Culture and Art in Lazdijai and the Museum of Ethnography in Leipalingis.

It is also interesting to note that the famous creator of the Esperanto language, Ludvig Lazer Zamenhof, lived in the town of Veisiejai from 1886 to 1887.