The district is located at the northern end of the Harz mountains. The highest mountain of the Harz, the Brocken, is located in the southeast of the district.
The coat of arms are based upon those used by the principality and the diocese of Halberstadt. On top of the red and white areas are two fish, which are taken from the coat of arms of the counts of Wernigerode. Blazon: Per pale argent and gules, two salmo trutta hauriant respectant counterchanged.
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