The district lies entirely in the drainage area of the Rybinsk Reservoir of the Volga River. The rivers in its western part drain into the Ostrechina and the Osen, right tributaries of the Mologa River. The northeastern part of the district belongs to the basin of the Sit River, a tributary of the Rybinsk Reservoir. The Sit itself has its source in the district, northwest of Sonkovo. The rivers in the southeastern part of the district drain into the Korozhechna, another tributary of the Rybinsk Reservoir. The Korozhechna crosses the southern part of the district from west to east.
History
The area is remarkable for being a location of the Battle of the Sit River, which took place in 1238 at the Sit, close to the current selo of Bozhonka, between the advancing Mongols and the army under command of Yuri Vladimirovich, a prince of Vladimir. The Mongols won, and Prince Yuri died in combat. Since 1247, the area was a part of Principality of Tver, and in the 14th century, together with Tver, was annexed by the Grand Duchy of Moscow. From the 17th century, Tver Karelians settled in the area.[10]
The area, previously a backwater, considerably accelerated its economical development after the railroads were constructed in the end of the 19th century.[10]
On July 12, 1929 the governorates and uyezds were abolished. Sonkovsky District, with the administrative center in the settlement of Sonkovo, was established within Bezhetsk Okrug of Moscow Oblast. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were abolished, and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On January 29, 1935 Kalinin Oblast was established, and Sonkovsky District was transferred to Kalinin Oblast. On February 13, 1963, during the abortive Khrushchyov administrative reform, Sonkovsky District was merged into Bezhetsky District, but on January 12, 1965 it was re-established.[11] In 1990, Kalinin Oblast was renamed Tver Oblast.
Economy
Industry
The industrial enterprises in the district are located in Sonkovo and serve the railway station. Additionally, there is a milk production plant.[2]
Agriculture
The main agricultural specializations in the district are cattle breeding with meat and milk production.
Transportation
Two railways cross the district. One, running from south to north, connects Moscow with Mga via Krasny Kholm and Pestovo. Another one, running east to west, connects Rybinsk with Bologoye. Sonkovo, where the two railways cross, is an important junction.
Sonkovo is connected by road with Bezhetsk, where it has access to the roads running to Tver and Vesyegonsk. There are also local roads, with the bus traffic originating from Sonkovo.
Culture and recreation
The district contains twenty-three cultural heritage monuments of federal significance and additionally twenty-eight objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance. The federal monuments include the former monastery complex in the village of Koy [ru], as well as the 18th-century churches in the villages of Odintsovo, Sinevo-Dubrovo, and Rameshki, and a windmill in the village of Prigorki.[12]
^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.
Законодательное Собрание Тверской области. Закон №4-ЗО от 18 января 2005 г. «Об установлении границ муниципальных образований Тверской области и наделении их статусом городских округов, муниципальных районов», в ред. Закона №65-ЗО от 24 июля 2012 г. «О внесении изменения в статью 2 Закона Тверской области "Об установлении границ муниципальных образований Тверской области и наделении их статусом городских округов, муниципальных районов"». Вступил в силу через десять дней после официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Тверские ведомости", №3, 21–27 января 2005 г. (Legislative Assembly of Tver Oblast. Law #4-ZO of January 18, 2005 On Establishing the Borders of the Municipal Formations of Tver Oblast and on Granting Them the Status of Urban Okrugs, Municipal Districts, as amended by the Law #65-ZO of July 24, 2012 On Amending Article 2 of the Law of Tver Oblast "On Establishing the Borders of the Municipal Formations of Tver Oblast and on Granting Them the Status of Urban Okrugs, Municipal Districts". Effective as of the day which is ten days after the official publication.).
Законодательное Собрание Тверской области. Закон №46-ЗО от 28 февраля 2005 г. «Об установлении границ муниципальных образований, входящих в состав территории муниципального образования Тверской области "Сонковский район", и наделении их статусом городского, сельского поселения». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Тверские ведомости", №10, 11–17 марта 2005 г. (Legislative Assembly of Tver Oblast. Law #46-ZO of February 28, 2005 On Establishing the Borders of the Municipal Formations Comprised by the Territory of the Municipal Formation of "Sonkovsky District" and on Granting Them the Status of Urban, Rural Settlements. Effective as of the day of the official publication.).