Garakilsa district was established on September 9, 1930. The center of the district with an area of 1719 km² was the city of Garakilsa. The distance from there to Iravan is 217 km.

Due to its geographical situation, Garakilsa region is surrounded by Zangezur and Barghushad ridges from four sides. Bazarchay river flows throughout the district.

The territory of the region was historically included in the Zangezur district of the Iravan khanate, and during Tsarist Russia it was part of the Zangezur district of Yelizavetpol (Ganja) governorate.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR dated March 2, 1940, the name of the district was changed to “Sisian”.

Since 1987, the native inhabitants of the district – Azerbaijanis were forced to leave their places of residence. In 1995, the district was abolished and included in the administrative territory of the Syunik province of Armenia.