The district was established in 1972 by merging the former districts of Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Eschenbach and Vohenstrauß.
Geography
The district is located in the mountains of the Upper Palatine Forest (Oberpfälzer Wald). The two headstreams of the River Naab, the Waldnaab and Haidenaab, both run through the district to merge in the south of the area.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms displays:
the heraldic lion of the Palatinate
three stars from the arms of the county of Störnstein
blue and white bars from the arms of the county of Leuchtenberg