Charyshsky District is located in the southeast of Altai Krai, on the western foothills and beginnings of the Altai Mountains to the east. The 2,490 metres (8,170 ft) high Mayak Shangina of the Korgon Range, located at the southern end of the district, is the highest point of the Krai. The Charysh River flows from east to west across the central part of the district. The area in the northwest of the district is low foothills, and the administrative center, the town of Charyshsky, is in the northwest on the Charysh River banks. Most of the southeast is forested and mountainous, on black (chernozem) southern mountain soils. Charyshsky District is 175 km west of the city of Barnaul, and 3,000 km east of Moscow. The area measures 130 km (north-south), and 80 km (west-east); total area is 6,910 km2 (about 7% of Altai Krai).[2]
Charyshsky District was formed as part of the Biysk Altai district on May 27, 1924. It was renamed Charyshsky District on January 1, 1932. In 1963 it was included into Ust-Kalmansky District, but restored as a separate district (renamed Charyshsky District) later in 1963.
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 №8-ЗС от 1 февраля 2007 г. «О статусе и границах муниципальных и административно-территориальных образований Чарышского 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", №48 (без приложений), 17 февраля 2007 г. (Altai Krai Council of People's Deputies. Law #8-ZS of February 1, 2007 On the Status and the Borders of the Municipal and the Administrative-Territorial Formations of Charyshsky 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.).