Kohima district is the oldest district of the state of Nagaland with its administrative headquarters located at Kohima town. Originally, Kohima was popularly known as Kewhira. From the very beginning Kohima is mainly the land of the Angami Naga tribe. The name of the place, Kohima, was officially given to it by the British since they found the Angami name Kewhima or Kewhira difficult to pronounce. Its earlier name Kewhira means "the land where the flower Kewhi grows". Previously, it is named after the wild flowering plant Kewhi, found in the mountains. In the past times, Kohima was also well known as Thigoma. After India got its independence, Nagaland came out as a full-fledged state on 1st December, 1963 and then three new districts were carved out from the former Kohima district namely Phek district in 1973, Dimapur district in 1998 and Peren district in 2004. Kohima village which is also famous as 'Bara Basti', counts as the second largest village in Asia.

Geographically, the district has a total area of 1,463 sq. km. area and occupies the rank 7th in State and 568th in India on the basis of the size. It lies at 25°67' N latitude, 94°11' E longitude and 1444 m altitude. In the year of 2021, there was a total 81.65% forest area of total geographical area. It is bounded by the state of Assam on the West, Wokha district on the North, Zunheboto and Phek districts on the East and Manipur state on the South. The climate of the district can be characterized as the more moderate version of a humid subtropical climate. The climate of the district remains cool in the winter and very hot in the summer. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1182.4 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 3 towns and 105 villages. Kohima district comprises 8 administrative circles such as Tseminyu, Tsogin, Chiephobozou, Botsa, Kezocha, Jakhama, Kohima Sadar and Sechu-Zubza. Further these administrative circles are grouped under 4 Rural Development Blocks likewise Kohima (for Kohima Sadar and Sechu-Zubza), Chiephobozou (for Chiephobozou, Botsa and some of Kezocha), Jakhama (for Jakhama and the rest of Kezocha) and Tseminyu (Tseminyu and Tsogin). English is the administrative language of the district. Kohima is the capital of the Nagaland state.

Demographically, according to the 2011 census, the district has a total number of 52,136 households with a total of 2,67,988 comprising 1,38,966 are males and 1,29,022 are females which causing it to rank 2nd in the state and 575th in India. The density of population of the district is 183 (persons per sq km.). The sex ratio is pegged at 928 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 985 (females per 1000 males). The population growth rate during the period of 2001-2011 was 22.19% including 20.20% were males and 24.41% were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Christian with 87.67% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Angami, and Rengma with 45.34%, and 21.54%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 2,765 out of which 1,527 were males and 1,238 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 378 out of which 275 were males and 103 were females.

Economically, the district is mainly dependent on the agricultural sector. The farmers of the district are used to the Jhum cultivation. Paddy, maize, millet and barley are the chief agricultural crops of the district. Cash crops such as potato, soya bean and the different kinds of local beans are also produced here. Natives of the district earn their extra income from the poultry and cattle breeding. The district is scantily industrialized since it has a few small scale industries likewise agro based, woolen, silk & artificial thread based cloths, wood or wooden based furniture, rubber, plastic & petro based, mineral based, etc.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate in the district is 85.23% out of which 88.69% are males and 81.48% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 1,97,489 including 1,07,038 are males and 90,451 are female. The total number of illiterates in the district is 70,499 including 31,928 are males and 38,571 are females. The district is well known as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. Alder College, St. Joseph College, Kohima College, Administrative Training Institute, Kohima Law College, Kohima Science College, Nagaland College of Teacher Education, Nagaland University, Natinal Institute of Electronuc and Information Technology, Regional Institute of E-Learning and Information Technology and Shalom Bible Seminary are main colleges and universities of the district. Chandmari Higher Secondary School, Merhulietsa High School, Little Flower Higher Secondary School, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Mezhur Higher Secondary School, Christ King School, School of Music, Ministers' Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School, Mount Sinai Higher Secondary School, St Joseph School, Cherry Blossoms School, Baptist High, Rutsa Driving School, Rev. Dr. Neiliezhu Usou Memorial School, Kohima, Nagaland and Northfield School are some of the most recognized educational institutions in the district.

Neiphiu Rio, a veteran Indian politician and the Chief Minister of Nagaland for three terms from 2003 to 2008, from 2008 to 2013 and from 2013 to 2014 was born in the district. He received the Mother Teresa Millennium award in the year 2007.

The district has several famous and beautiful tourist places which are not only famous within the country but also in the world. Some of its notable places of interest are Dzukou Valley, Tuophema Tourist Village, World War Ii Cemetery, Khonoma Green Village, Kisama Heritage Village, Dzulekie, Japfu Peak, Tseminyu. The Kohima Cathedralis situated at Aradura Hill. It is known as the largest cathedral in the Asia. The district also has State Museum which is located at Bayavu Hill. It has a number of collections of precious stones such as cornelian, tourmaline, coral, core of xancus, ivory and other beads, brass and silver bells. Tourists can see the models of Naga Morung or hut models here. The most valued and expensive necklaces used by the Nagas are displayed here. The Kohima War Cemetery is a memorial place in the honor of officers and soldiers who were killed during the World War II.