Arusha District, one of the 31 administrative regions of Tanzania, is located in the northeastern part of the country, bordering Kenya to the north, adjacent to the Kilimanjaro Region to the east, connected to the Manyara Region to the south, bordered by the Simiyu Region to the west, and the Mara Region to the northwest. The district is situated on the East African Plateau, with the Serengeti Plain to the west and numerous lakes within its territory, including the larger Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area within its borders is a World Natural Heritage site, and a small part of its western land belongs to the World Natural Heritage Serengeti National Park.

The capital, Arusha, is located at the southern foot of Mount Meru. With an altitude of 1409 meters, it has a cool and pleasant climate and covers an area of 93 square kilometers. It serves as a trade center for coffee, pyrethrum, sisal, and livestock products. The city is home to factories for coffee and meat processing, flour, textiles, tires, dairy processing, and radio assembly. It is also known for its meerschaum pipes, a local specialty. As a transportation hub, Arusha is connected by railway to Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, and by road to Dodoma and Nairobi. It is also home to Tanzania's largest airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport. The tourism industry in Arusha is well-developed, with nearby volcanoes and wildlife parks adding to its appeal.