The district was established in 1867.[2] In 1932 it was enlarged with parts of the dissolved district of Bordesholm. During the 20th century some municipalities left the district due to incorporation into the city of Kiel.
Geography
The inland part of this small district is covered with lakes. The Großer Plöner See ("Great Plön Lake", 29 km2) and the Selenter See ("Lake Selent", 22 km2) are the largest lakes in Schleswig-Holstein. The lakeland and the adjoining parts of the neighbouring district Ostholstein constitute the region called Holstein Switzerland since the countryside is very hilly. However, the highest hill (Bungsberg) is only 168 m high. North of the lakeland there is the Probstei, a region on the coast of the Baltic Sea.