The whole district belongs to the drainage basin of the Sozh River, a major left tributary of the Dnieper. The Sozh itself makes the northwestern border of the district, separating it from Mogilev Region of Belarus. The biggest tributary of the Sozh traversing the district is the Ostyor River, which makes the southwestern border of the district, separating it from Mogilev Region as well.
On 12 July 1929, governorates and uyezds were abolished, and Shumyachsky District with the administrative center in the settlement of Shumyachi was established. The district belonged to Roslavl Okrug of Western Oblast.[9] On August 1, 1930 the okrugs were abolished, and the districts were subordinated directly to the oblast. On 27 September 1937 Western Oblast was abolished and split between Oryol and Smolensk Oblasts. Shumyachsky District was transferred to Smolensk Oblast. Between August 1941 and 1943, during WWII, the district was occupied by German troops.[9][11] In 1965, Shumyachi was granted the urban-type settlement status.[10]
In 1972, during the abortive Khrushchyov administrative reform, Yershichsky District was merged into Shumyachsky District. In 1965, it was re-established.[11]
Economy
Industry
The enterprises in the district produce peat, glass, as well as there are several enterprises of food industry.[8]
Agriculture
The main agricultural specializations are cattle breeding with meat and milk production as well as growing of crops and potatoes.[8]
Transportation
The A130 highway (the "Warsaw Highway") which connects Moscow with Babruysk via Obninsk, Roslavl, and Krychaw, crosses the southern part of the district. Shumyachi has a connection to A130. There are also local roads with bus traffic originating from Shumyachi.
The railway connecting Roslavl and Krychaw crosses the southern part of the district. The only station inside the district is Ponyatovka railway station, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of Shumyachi. In Roslavl, the railway has access to Smolensk and Bryansk; there is not through traffic to Belarus. There is no passenger traffic.
^The count of urban-type settlements may include the work settlements, the resort settlements, the suburban (dacha) settlements, as well as urban-type settlements proper.
Администрация Смоленской области. Постановление №261 от 30 апреля 2008 г. «Об утверждении реестра административно-территориальных единиц и территориальных единиц Смоленской области», в ред. Постановления №464 от 27 июня 2014 г. «О внесении изменений в реестр административно-территориальных единиц и территориальных единиц Смоленской области». Опубликован: База данных "Консультант-плюс". (Administration of Smolensk Oblast. Resolution #261 of April 30, 2008 On the Adoption of the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Units and Territorial Units of Smolensk Oblast, as amended by the Resolution #464 of June 27, 2014 On Amending the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Units and Territorial Units of Smolensk Oblast. ).
Смоленская областная Дума. Закон №138-з от 28 декабря 2004 г. «О наделении статусом муниципального района муниципального образования "Шумячский район" Смоленской области, об установлении границ муниципальных образований, территории которых входят в его состав, и наделении их соответствующим статусом», в ред. Закона №92-з от 31 октября 2011 г. «О внесении изменений в областной Закон "О наделении статусом муниципального района муниципального образования "Шумячский район" Смоленской области, об установлении границ муниципальных образований, территории которых входят в его состав, и наделении их соответствующим статусом"». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Вестник Смоленской областной Думы и Администрации Смоленской области", №14, часть III, стр. 199, 30 декабря 2004 г. (Smolensk Oblast Duma. Law #138-z of December 28, 2004 On Granting the Status of the Municipal District to the Municipal Formation of "Shumyachsky District" of Smolensk Oblast, on Establishing the Borders of the Municipal Formations the Territories of Which It Comprises, and on Granting Them Appropriate Status, as amended by the Law #92-z of October 31, 2011 On Amending the Oblast Law "On Granting the Status of the Municipal District to the Municipal Formation of "Shumyachsky District" of Smolensk Oblast, on Establishing the Borders of the Municipal Formations the Territories of Which It Comprises, and on Granting Them Appropriate Status". Effective as of the official publication date.).