General Information:

Shimoga, one of the nineteen districts of the Karnataka State, is situated roughly in the mid-south-western part of the State. It had an eventful history and has rich cultural traditions. It is bestowed with abundant natural resources. The western area of the district consists of a mountainous terrain, while on the eastern side, there is a striking transition from malnad and semi-malnad to maidan. The western part is replete with fascinating natural beauty, being clothed with dense tropical forests stimulated by heavy rainfall. The eastern area consists of an open country with some fine lakes and stony making this part an eye-catching one.


Natural Divisions:

The greater part of the district lies in the malnad; it is the area all to the west of a line drawn from Shikaripur to Gajanur (the latter in Shimoga taluk). The eastern portion lies in the maidan region (bailu-seeme) which is an open country. While the Tirthahalli, Hosanagar, Sagar and Sorab taluks come under the malnad, the taluks of Shikaripur, Shimoga and Bhadravati form a semi-malnad area. The Channagiri and Honnali taluks lie in the maidan region. The western portion with its tropical forests and mountain wilds presents superbly enhanting natural scenes. "The view from the head of the descent to the falls of Gerusoppa is probably one of the choicest bits of scenery in the world". There are three ghats, namely, the Agumbe ghat in Tirthahalli taluk and the Hulikal and Kollur ghats in Hosanagar taluk. They provide outlets through the picturesque hill country down to South Kanara.

The features of the open country are the absence of rich forests and far less rainfall than in the malnad region; but there are several picturesque spots like those around Shantisagar (Sulekere) lake, river valley and stony hills which have their own charm.