The name of this district comes from the Quechua word yurac (white), which was used to describe the whitish salt plains located northwest of the city of Arequipa, where this district is located. It was created at the time of independence by the Spanish José Nogal y Noguerol. It occupies an extensive region of the province of Arequipa, so the most diverse features are found in its territory: mountain ranges, plains, etc.

