The district belongs to the Oberland region and is marked by the river valleys of the Isar and Loisach as well as numerous lakes. The geomorphological forms Alpenvorland, Voralpenland and Alps alternate from north to south. There are many high and low moors here due to the silting up of many post ice age lakes. Because of the high rainfall on the edge of the Alps, agriculture is limited to cattle pastures. The southern part is characterised by tourism and includes one of Germany's biggest skiing areas, Brauneck by Lenggries. In the very south the district is part of the "Alpenpark Karwendel" most of which lies in Austria. The lakes Walchensee, Kochelsee and Sylvensteinspeicher are excursion favourites. The northern part still belongs to the general outer urban agglomeration area of Munich. Proximity to the city and good motorway connections have given rise to a large number of industries and businesses opening up here.