Bystroistoksky District is located in the southeast of Altai Krai, on rolling plain leading into foothills of the Altai Mountains to the east. The Ob River flows from east to west across the northern part of the district. The area north of the Ob is forested, while south of the river is steppe terrain and agricultural fields. Bystroistoksky District is 25 km west of the city of Biysk, and 3,000 km east of Moscow. The area measures 55 km (north-south), and 45 km (west-east); total area is 1,804 km2 (about 2% of Altai Krai). The administrative center is the town of Bystry Istok, on the banks of the Ob.[2]
The soils are chernozem (black), and the forests mostly conifer and mixed forest. About one-third of the district is forested.
The first small settlement of European Russians occurred in 1749 with the founding of the village of Bystry Istok, on the high left bank of the Ob River. A census in the early 1800s showed 38 households in the village.[2] A few villages developed around a peasant agricultural economy, with many of the settlers being retired soldiers who received land allotments. A glassworks was founded in the village of Akutiha in 1911, and virgin agricultural land was open in the 1950s.
Алтайский краевой Совет народных депутатов. Закон №28-ЗС от 1 марта 2008 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Алтайского края», в ред. Закона №16-ЗС от 4 апреля 2017 г. «О присоединении станции Железнодорожная Казарма 572 км к посёлку Октябрьскому Октябрьского сельсовета Кулундинского района Алтайского края и внесении изменений в отдельные законы Алтайского края». Вступил в силу 8 марта 2008 г. Опубликован: "Алтайская правда", №67, 8 марта 2008 г. (Altai Krai Council of People's Deputies. Law #28-ZS of March 1, 2008 On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Altai Krai, as amended by the Law #16-ZS of April 4, 2017 On Merging the Station of Zheleznodorozhnaya Kazarma 572 km into the Settlement of Oktyabrsky in Oktyabrsky Selsoviet of Kulundinsky District of Altai Krai and on Amending Various Laws of Altai Krai. Effective as of March 8, 2008.).
Алтайский краевой Совет народных депутатов. Закон №92-ЗС от 5 октября 2007 г. «О статусе и границах муниципальных и административно-территориальных образований Быстроистокского района Алтайского края», в ред. Закона №55-ЗС от 5 июля 2012 г. «О внесении изменений в отдельные Законы Алтайского края в связи с преобразованием муниципальных и административно-территориальных образований». Вступил в силу через 10 дней со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Алтайская правда", №306 (без приложений), 13 октября 2007 г. (Altai Krai Council of People's Deputies. Law #92-ZS of October 5, 2007 On the Status and the Borders of the Municipal and the Administrative-Territorial Formations of Bystroistoksky District of Altai Krai, as amended by the Law #55-ZS of July 5, 2012 On Amending Various Laws of Altai Krai Due to the Transformation of the Municipal and Administrative-Territorial Formations. Effective as of after 10 days from the day of the official publication.).