The Oberallgäu surrounds the district-independent town of Kempten. Through its position near or in the Alps tourism plays a very important role. Oberstdorf is by far the most important tourist community in the Allgäu and is famous for being the location of one of the four ski jumps in the Four Ski Jumps Competition (Vierschanzentournee) and also for its skiing area. 40% of the district is under preservation or conservation order. Scattered settlements predominate which is also an indication of pasture farming which, because of the high level of rainfall here, is the only profitable form of farming.