The scientists have not yet agreed on the etymology of the name “Lepel’”. Some believe that it originates from Belarusian words “lepej”, (better), and “lyapits’”, (to make pottery). Others trace this name to the Baltic word “liepa”, a lime-tree, and thus, the name of the town can mean “a lake among lime-trees”.

Lepel’ dates back to 1439; in 1805 it became a town.

Lepel’ district is located in the south-western part of Vitebsk region and has the area of 1.8 thousand square kilometers. Lepel’ lies in 110 km from Vitebsk and in 150 from Minsk.

The District unites 228 localities where about 40 thousand people reside.

District's government consists of 10 villages’ Councils of Deputies.

9 agricultural enterprises and 3 farms comprise District’s agricultural sector with 2 primary areas of specialization: cattle breeding and grain crops growing.

In accordance with the state program of Rural Revival and Development, 9 agro-towns will be created in the District by 2010; the village of Bol’shoj Polsvizh was the first agro-town in the District.

9 enterprises including wood and metal processing factories, all-mash production factories, and bakeries comprise District’s industry. The largest enterprises are Lepel' milk canned-food factory and Lepel' forestry.

The District is called “the land of lakes”; there are more than 140 lakes on its territory. Forests cover more than 45% of the District’s area. A sanatorium and “Zhemchuzhina”, a children’s centre for recuperation and rehabilitation function on the territory of the District.
A large part of the Berezinsky biosphere nature reservation is situated on the territory of the District.

Among other nationally protected nature reserves is a 400 year-old oak, called “King-Oak”. In the village of Polsvizh the scientists found unique rocks with footprints of humans and domestic animals. Architectural monuments found on the territory of the District are dated the XIXth century.

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